"We're paying for the mistakes of the past": Perrin-Gilbert criticizes Aulas and its large stadium after OL's relegation

A few hours after the shock announcement of Olympique Lyonnais' administrative relegation to Ligue 2, it's time for reactions. Following the Green mayor of Lyon, the president of the Lyon metropolitan area, and the former president of OL, it was the former mayor of the 1st arrondissement and candidate in the 2026 municipal elections, Nathalie Perrin-Gilbert, who spoke to the press.

Read also: OL in Ligue 2: the 4 questions that arise after this relegation

While the city councilor considers that this relegation is " unfortunately not really " a surprise, she indicates that she has " noted that OL is appealing ." " The entire city and elected officials must stand with the club, the players, and the supporters, whose sadness I understand. I hope that the appeal will be heard and that the team will remain in Ligue 1 ," she added.

The elected official nevertheless wanted to offer her interpretation of events. While assuring that " this is not the time for controversy ," she allowed herself a small dig at Jean-Michel Aulas, without mentioning him by name. " I want to remind you that when we were seven times French champions, we were at Gerland. We invested too much in a real estate and financial project, to the detriment of the club and the game ," considers the elected official of the Lyon en commun group.

And to drive the point home: " To have a so-called private stadium, while local authorities have spent hundreds of millions of euros, the club went into debt. It was clear that Mr. Textor did not have the means for this stadium. Today we are paying for the decisions of the past. "

For several weeks now, the city councilor has made the putative candidate for mayor of Lyon her primary target. Accusing him here of " filling the early part of his campaign ," there of " outbidding " on his proposals, particularly on free public transport in Lyon.

While presenting proposals on Wednesday morning regarding culture and education, including the creation of an "exploratorium" dedicated to young people at the Guimet Museum, Nathalie Perrin-Gilbert again deplored " the communication " and the absence of " real proposals " from Aulas.

Read also: OL relegation: "John Textor must provide answers," reacts the mayor of Lyon