Weekly Highlights No. 2

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#1: Lyon Relegated to French Ligue 2 Due to Financial Issues

Lyon, one of the historical clubs in Ligue 1, has been relegated to Ligue 2 because of financial problems, marking an unprecedented shock in French football. Once a powerhouse that won Ligue 1 seven times consecutively, Lyon's fall reflects severe financial distress, confirmed by the French national league's financial authority (DNCG).

After a two-hour meeting with owner John Textor, whose defenses were deemed insufficient, the DNCG upheld a previously issued temporary relegation penalty from November. Despite Textor's confident claims that the meeting was productive, the DNCG decided to sanction Olympique Lyon nonetheless.

The club plans to appeal the decision to avoid a crisis that could have widespread implications for Ligue 1. In November, the DNCG had already imposed restrictions, including a transfer ban until June and a demand for €175 million to lift the penalties.

Lyon's failure to qualify for the Champions League and ongoing financial challenges, compounded by Textor's management decisions, have worsened their situation. Although Lyon has the right to appeal in the coming weeks, the likelihood of the penalty being upheld remains high, adding to the financial turmoil affecting many French clubs. Shortly after the ruling, Lyon officially announced their intent to appeal.

#2: Delap Scores as Chelsea Advances to Round of 16 in FIFA Club World Cup

Chelsea delivered an impressive performance, defeating Esperance Tunis 3-0 in their final group match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, securing a spot in the Round of 16 against Benfica. From the start, the Premier League representatives dominated the game, putting constant pressure on their opponents, with key players like Liam Delap, Noni Madueke, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall frequently challenging the defense.

In the second half, Chelsea continued to assert their dominance, creating additional opportunities, including a controversial penalty situation reviewed by VAR. However, they did not score again until injury time, when young player Tyrique George sealed the victory with a decisive shot. This win propels Chelsea into the Round of 16 in high spirits, ready to face the tougher challenge posed by Benfica.

#3: Newcastle Splashing Cash to Sign Former Manchester United (MU) Player

Newcastle has made a £45 million offer to acquire Anthony Elanga, the former Manchester United forward currently playing for Nottingham Forest. However, Nottingham Forest quickly rejected this bid, valuing Elanga at £60 million.

According to The Athletic, Newcastle’s management is now deliberating whether to increase their offer for Elanga or pursue alternative targets. Manager Eddie Howe aims to strengthen the attacking lineup as Newcastle prepares for next season's Champions League.

Elanga is a key target for Howe due to his speed and direct playing style. Last season, the Swedish winger participated in all 38 Premier League matches for Nottingham Forest, scoring 6 goals and providing 11 assists. At just 23 years old, Elanga is showing significant growth after leaving Manchester United in the summer of 2023 for a transfer fee of £15 million.

In addition to Elanga, Newcastle is also monitoring several other players, including Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, Karim Adeyemi, and Joao Pedro, as they look to bolster their squad ahead of a challenging season.

#4: Malaysian Experts Support Naturalization of Players for Football Success

Malaysian football experts are backing the continued naturalization of players with Malaysian heritage to satisfy fans, as long as it's done legally. The recent 4-0 victory over Vietnam, achieved with the help of nine naturalized players, has sparked debate among fans who feel disheartened by the presence of players mostly born abroad.

Afizal Abu Othman, a football expert, supports the strategy of Tunku Mahkota Ismail, the heir to the Johor throne and president of Johor Darul Tazim (JDT), Malaysia’s most successful club. Through his influence, Ismail has attracted several players of Malaysian descent to represent the national team, even if they have never lived in Malaysia. Following the win against Vietnam, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) publicly thanked Ismail for his efforts.

While some in the football community are skeptical, Othman urges them to view Malaysia's achievements positively, as long as FIFA regulations are followed. Football legend Jamal Nasir also supports Ismail's plan, stating that naturalizing players is beneficial for the national team and essential for aspirations like qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup.

Malaysia has recently added players such as Gabriel Palmero and Hector Hevel, aiming to enhance their competitiveness against top Asian teams like Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea. The FAM and Ismail are actively seeking more players with Malaysian roots from Europe and South America to strengthen the squad.

#5: Tottenham Breaks Record for Japanese Player Transfer

Kota Takai, who previously neutralized Cristiano Ronaldo in the AFC Champions League semifinals, has joined Tottenham for a record fee for a Japanese player. According to talkSPORT on June 23, Tottenham has reached an agreement to buy Takai from Kawasaki Frontale for $6.8 million, making him the highest-priced export from Japan's J-League, surpassing Kyogo Furuhashi's previous record of $6.3 million when he moved from Vissel Kobe to Celtic in 2021.

At just 20 years old, Takai developed through Kawasaki Frontale's youth system and has played 78 matches for the first team since 2022. He won the Japanese Super Cup in 2024 and was part of the U23 team that became Asian champions. Takai has also appeared in four matches for the Japan national team.

Last season, he contributed to Kawasaki Frontale's victory over Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League semifinals, where he successfully marked Ronaldo. Following that, Kawasaki Frontale lost to Al Ahli in the final.

In addition to Takai, Tottenham has five other center-backs and may loan him out for experience. This summer, they also signed Danso from Lens and Mathys Tel from Bayern, while pursuing Bryan Mbeumo, facing competition from Manchester United. Eberechi Eze is considered a backup option if the Mbeumo deal falls through.