The slender hopes Kenyan International Joseph Okumu and his French side Stade de Reims had have been wiped after the club was relegated from the League 1.Reims had been relegated to the French second tier after losing their playoff tie against Metz, but still haboured minimal chances of keeping their slot at the top tier.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe club had hoped that Olympic Lyon would instead be relegated, a move that would have saved them from the shame of kissing the grass.Lyon, who have won seven French titles had been relegated in November 2024, a decision that was confirmed a fortnight ago by Ligue 1 after by the competition’s financial watchdog, DNCG due to ongoing financial irregularities and debts estimated at 175 million Euros (approximately Ksh 26.425 billion).##NAJAVA_MECA_9009607##However, the club lodged an appeal with the French Football Federation, a move which was successful with the verdict released on Wednesday, 9 July 2025 as confirmed by the club.“Olympique Lyonnais welcomes today’s decision by the DNCG to keep the club in Ligue 1,” the said in a statement. “(Lyon) thanks the appeals committee for recognizing the ambition of the club’s new management (which is) determined to ensure serious management in the future,” added the statement.English League One side provides transfer update on Harambee Stars wingerThe decision comes a week after American businesswoman businesswoma, who owns the women’s team, took over the reigns of the club following the resignation of former President John Textor after the club was relegated.Lyon, who finished sixth on the log, will also play in the Europa League to which they qualified while Okumu’s Reims will serve their condemnation to the second tier.Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) partners with another school to develop talentIt is unclear whether Okumu will stay with the club he joined in July 2023 ,as he has reportedly attracted interest from top tier clubs as well as outside FranceThe 28-year-old managed 28 appearances, across all competitions in the just concluded season, with 22 of them coming in the league, but would not help his side from finishing 16th on the league in the 18-team league.
