Newly promoted French club RC Lens will be prohibited from joining Ligue 1 this season because of financial concerns.
The National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), which oversees French clubs, denied Lens' appeal on Tuesday, meaning the team who finished second in Ligue 2 last season will return to the second division.
The DNCG had concerns that Azerbaijani owner Hafiz Mammadov had not put enough money into the team for it to succeed at the next level, and asked for 10 million euros to be infused toward the club.
In a statement posted on their website, Lens said they had guaranteed 18 million euros, but that those funds had not yet arrived in their accounts from the Bank of Azerbaijan.
The club said it will appeal to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee.
The news gives Sochaux hope that they could remain in the top flight after finishing 18th in Ligue 1, becoming the final team to be relegated last season. They have already submitted an appeal to stay in Ligue 1, according to L'Equipe.