DNCG imposes salary cap on Marseille and Lyon for Ligue 1 season

The French football authorities have delivered their verdict. On Friday, the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) unveiled the financial restrictions that Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais must comply with during the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season.

For the Olympique de Marseille, the DNCG has mandated strict limits on both player salary expenditure and transfer compensation fees. This decision follows a thorough review of the club’s financial situation, which has struggled in recent seasons.

The Olympique Lyonnais faces a similar constraint, with the DNCG imposing a salary cap tied to the club’s revised budget following its change in ownership structure.

Key decisions confirmed for Lyon

In a press briefing, club owner Michele Kang confirmed two critical outcomes for Lyon: first, the club’s retention in Ligue 1 for the upcoming season, and second, her official ascension as the majority shareholder of the Rhône-based team.

Recent financial scrutiny for Marseille

The DNCG’s announcement comes just days after Olympique de Marseille was hit with a €10 million fine by European football’s governing body, UEFA, for breaches of financial fair play regulations. The club has been under close financial monitoring, with prior instances of salary cap restrictions imposed in 2021 and 2023.

In the lead-up to this decision, the DNCG had requested additional financial documentation from Marseille, citing concerns over the club’s strained finances following a challenging 2025-2026 campaign across all fronts.