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Portrait of Jean-Michel Aulas

Photo: Sebleouf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in France · Nationality French — Sport / sports governance

Jean-Michel Aulas

SportBusiness and billionaires

Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “Promise of stadium in La Duchère: ethics review, reminder and closure” and “Defamation proceedings against Rue89Lyon: journalists acquitted at first instance and on appeal”.

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Profile No. 2449 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Jean-Michel Aulas

Photo: Sebleouf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
8Documented controversies
12Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

February–March 2026

Promise of stadium in La Duchère: ethics review, reminder and closure

Civil / administrative proceedings

During his Lyon municipal election campaign, Aulas proposed a new stadium in La Duchère while serving as FFF vice-president. The National Ethics Council initiated its own review of the risk that his federal position was being used for electoral purposes.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    L’ÉquipeLe Conseil national d’éthique de la FFF s’autosaisit après des propos d’Aulas sur la construction d’un nouveau stade à La DuchèrePressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    L’ÉquipeJean-Michel Aulas simplement rappelé à l’ordre après avoir proposé de construire un nouveau stade à La DuchèrePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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02

October 2023–1 September 2026

Defamation proceedings against Rue89Lyon: journalists acquitted at first instance and on appeal

Acquitted / conviction overturned — against Rue89Lyon journalists

Protagonist not prosecuted — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Aulas, his son and Holnest sued Rue89Lyon over an article concerning an investment in a private jet airport in Florida and a structure involving Delaware. In January 2026, the court ruled that the statements were not defamatory; the acquittal was upheld on appeal on 1 September 2026.

Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant
Person targeted by the proceedings
Rue89Lyon journalists
Role of the person profiled
Protagonist not prosecuted

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Le MondeMunicipales 2026 : à Lyon, Aulas perd son procès contre Rue89PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Le Parisien / AFPPoursuivi pour diffamation par Jean-Michel Aulas et son fils, Rue89 Lyon relaxé en appelPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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03

February–10 September 2026

Roman Abreu case: criticism of handling of alleged rape report, temporary withdrawal and reinstatement

Allegations

A woman campaigning for Aulas filed a complaint alleging rape involving chemical submission against former campaign director Roman Abreu, who denied the allegations. It emerged that she had raised the alleged events with Aulas and other officials as early as February. Allies criticised the handling of the report; Aulas temporarily stepped back in June.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Le MondeJean-Michel Aulas, sous pression après l’affaire de violences sexuelles non dénoncées, se retire de la gouvernance de son groupe municipal à LyonPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Le ParisienPlainte pour viol contre un conseiller : Jean-Michel Aulas réintégré dans ses fonctions à la Métropole de LyonPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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04

July 2025

Intervention with DNCG appeals body over OL's league status: ethics referral then case closed

Civil / administrative proceedings

As FFF vice-president, Aulas said he had "done everything he could" to help OL during its DNCG appeal, which resulted in the club remaining in Ligue 1. The FFF supervisory board referred the matter to the National Ethics Council.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    L’ÉquipeLe Conseil national de l’éthique classe sans suite une saisine visant AulasPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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05

May–August 2023

Early departure as OL president and public feud with John Textor

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following Eagle Football's acquisition of OL, Aulas left the presidency in May 2023, well before the initially planned period of collaboration. Textor subsequently accused him of concealing adverse financial information; Aulas disputed the allegations and criticised the new owner's management.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Le MondeA l’Olympique lyonnais, le divorce entre Jean-Michel Aulas et John Textor tourne au règlement de comptesPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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06

August–11 December 2023

Court freezes approximately €14.5 million in OL accounts, then settlement ends proceedings

Civil / administrative proceedings

To secure payment for the purchase of shares still held by Holnest, Aulas obtained a protective measure freezing approximately €14.5 million in accounts linked to OL. In December, OL Groupe and Holnest reached a share purchase agreement and discontinued the proceedings.

State of the evidence
Settlement
Attribution
Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    L’ÉquipeJean-Michel Aulas fait saisir les comptes de l’OLPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    L’Équipe / AFPL’OL et Jean-Michel Aulas signent un accord pour la fin des actions en justice contre John TextorPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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07

15 December 2021

Ten-match suspension, five suspended, following OL–OM

Civil / administrative proceedings

Following the OL–OM match interrupted in November 2021, the LFP suspended Aulas from the touchline, referees' dressing room and official duties for ten matches, five of them suspended, for his behaviour.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    LFPCommission de discipline : les décisions du 15 décembre 2021Sports governing bodyVery high reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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08

31 March–5 April 2016

LFP one-match suspension following Lille–Lyon

Civil / administrative proceedings

The LFP disciplinary commission imposed a one-match suspension on Aulas from the pitch, referees' dressing room and official duties because of his behaviour following Lille–Lyon.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    L’ÉquipeJean-Michel Aulas suspendu un match par la commission de discipline de la LFPPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 15 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Grégory Doucet1 documented reference
  2. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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