John Textor reage à denúncia feita pelo Lyon e acusa Michele Kang de corrupção, abuso de poder corporativo e informações falsas

John Textor, former controller of Botafogo SAF, has labeled a criminal complaint filed by Eagle Football Group (EFG) as a “defamation attempt” and “retaliation.” According to a statement released Tuesday, June 9, the dispute follows Textor’s own April 2026 legal action against Lyon president Michele Kang, alleging private corruption and corporate abuse.

Why did John Textor accuse Eagle Football Group of retaliation?

Textor claims the EFG complaint is a strategic move to divert attention from his own allegations against Michele Kang. The EFG complaint, filed with the Lyon Public Prosecutor, targets “unknown persons” regarding operations conducted between May 2023 and June 2025.

Textor noted that investigations into his April report are likely to reach “critical milestones” soon. He described EFG’s concerns over “obscure financial transactions” as ironic, given his public questioning of Olympique Lyonnais’ accounting accuracy.

Did You Know? John Textor formally demanded the dismissal of Michele Kang in a letter sent to the EFG board on April 24, 2026.

What are the allegations against Michele Kang?

On April 17, 2026, Textor filed a confidential criminal complaint against Kang. The charges include private corruption, abuse of corporate power, the dissemination of false or misleading information, and the presentation of incorrect financial statements.

Textor reported these alleged law violations to the AMF, the financial market regulator. According to the statement, the AMF has since initiated its own investigation into the matter. Textor formally notified the EFG board of the complaint on April 22, 2026.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the legal friction between Textor and Kang underscores the high stakes of the “single cash” management model. When financial transparency is contested, it can create significant instability for all clubs under the corporate umbrella.

How does this dispute affect Botafogo and Lyon?

The two clubs are currently negotiating to resolve mutual debts stemming from the “single cash” model used during Textor’s management. This financial settlement is a necessary step for Botafogo to complete the sale of its SAF to GDA Luma Capital.

Because the sale depends on these negotiations, continued legal conflict between Textor and EFG could potentially delay the finalization of the GDA Luma Capital deal. The resolution of these debts remains a fundamental requirement for the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AMF’s role in this case?
The AMF is the financial market regulator that launched an investigation after John Textor reported law violations.

Who is the current president of Lyon?
Michele Kang is the current president of the French club.

What is the significance of the GDA Luma Capital deal?
It is the pending sale of Botafogo’s SAF, which requires the resolution of debts between Botafogo and Lyon to proceed.

How might these legal disputes influence the future of multi-club ownership models in professional sports?