Aulas Under Scrutiny: Stadium Promise Sparks FFF Ethics Probe in Lyon Mayoral Race
Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France – The political landscape of Lyon is currently embroiled in controversy as Jean-Michel Aulas, a leading candidate for the city’s mayoral office, faces an ethics investigation by the National Ethics Council of the French Football Federation (FFF). The inquiry stems from Aulas’s recent campaign promise to construct a new football stadium, a declaration that appears to directly contradict an earlier FFF advisory.
On February 4th, during a campaign visit to the working-class district of La Duchère, Aulas publicly stated his “consideration” for building a stadium with a capacity of “10,000 to 12,000 people.” This announcement, captured in a video by Actu Lyon, comes as Aulas, an independent candidate supported by the right and center, enjoys a significant lead in recent polls, placing him 14 points ahead of the incumbent Green mayor, Grégory Doucet.
The Ethics Advisory: A Clear Warning Unheeded?
The core of the controversy lies in a September 2025 advisory issued by the FFF’s National Ethics and Deontology Council (CNED). Aulas, who serves as Vice-President of the FFF, had himself sought the CNED’s opinion on the compatibility of holding both his FFF position and a local political mandate. The CNED deemed such a dual role “compatible,” but with a crucial caveat: Aulas was to “refrain from any promise related to football” during his electoral campaign.
A source close to the CNED, interviewed by Challenges, indicates that the council has self-referred the matter, and it is “probable” that Aulas’s recent statements “go against the opinion rendered.” The ethics body is expected to issue its official position in the coming days, a decision that could have significant implications for Aulas’s campaign and his standing within the FFF.
Leveraging Federal Status: A Conflict of Interest?
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Aulas explicitly invoked his federal status to justify the stadium project. He stated, “You know that I am also vice-president of the federation. This 3rd professional division, which will be managed by the FFF, will need a certain number of intermediate sports facilities.” This direct linkage between his political aspirations and his FFF role is precisely one of the “areas of vigilance” highlighted by the CNED in its earlier advisory.
Aulas’s vision for La Duchère draws parallels to the successful development in Décines-Meyzieu, an eastern Lyon commune that now hosts a 54,000-seat stadium. This previous project, spearheaded by Aulas during his tenure as president of Olympique Lyonnais, involved a complex financial arrangement that combined the sports arena with offices and a business park. The Décines complex was reportedly valued at 632 million euros, with 202 million euros financed by local authorities.
Calls for Transparency and Potential Consequences
In response to Aulas’s stadium promise, Bruno Bernard, President of the Lyon Métropole, has publicly urged Aulas to publish his declaration of interests during the campaign. Bernard points to potential “risks of conflicts of interest” across various issues. Aulas’s entourage, however, maintains that “there is no issue” and reiterates his September commitment to “scrupulously respect” the rules set by the CNED.
The National Ethics Council of the FFF possesses the authority to issue reprimands and, if deemed necessary, refer the matter to the disciplinary committee. This committee has the power to impose sanctions ranging from suspension from duties to outright expulsion. The outcome of this investigation could therefore have significant ramifications for Jean-Michel Aulas, both in his political ambitions and his continued involvement with the FFF.
The current situation raises critical questions about the intersection of sports, politics, and ethics, particularly when individuals hold influential positions in both spheres. As Lyon approaches its 2026 municipal elections, the FFF’s ethics probe casts a shadow over one of its leading candidates, forcing a closer examination of transparency and potential conflicts of interest in public life.
