John Textor is in the line of fire again, with a pair of former French internationals taking aim at the American owner and how the club is treating one of their longest-serving players.
Jérôme Rothen, host of the RMC Spot programme “Rothen S’enflamme”, expressed his displeasure over how Olympique Lyonnais are handling the Anthony Lopes (33) demotion.
The Portuguese goalkeeper, Lyon’s first-choice for several seasons, has been downgraded to number four at the club. OL looked to force the player out this summer, however, ultimately no opportunity presented itself.
Rothen, who helped AS Monaco reach the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League final, says that Lyon’s owner and the club have one clear goal with this demotion.
“There is a total lack of respect. This is to make him (Lopes) crack,” says Rothen. He goes on to say: “John Textor, he has nothing to do with the club and the history of the club. These players, like Lopes or whatever, they represent the club, they have the soul of this club in them.”
Rothen was joined on Wednesday’s show by former French World Cup and Euro winner Christophe Dugarry. The former Bordeaux and Olympique de Marseille striker also voiced his displeasure about how the Lopes situation is being handled.
“That’s all I hate about football,” said Dugarry. “It’s horrible. You can lose your place, and you can find yourself No. 2. But No.4, does that mean what the poor man does after 25 years at the club?”