#INSERT type:image caption:Lens players still do not know which division they will be playing in next season. END#
Lens owner Hafiz Mammadov has dug into his pocket to provide the money the club need to have their promotion to Ligue 1 ratified.
After losing an appeal against a decision by French football's financial watchdog, the DNCG, to have their return to the top flight ratified due to a budget shortfall, the northern club saw the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) rule in their favour late last week.
Club president Gervais Martel and deputy director general Didier Roudet travelled to London to meet owner Mammadov.
Although he did not provide the entire 10 million euro sum demanded by the DNCG, Mammadov did enough to ensure that Lens still have a chance of being among the 20 Ligue 1 clubs when the season kicks off on Aug. 8.
"He remains inflexible. But he made a gesture... he got the job done and brought in some cash. It was an important decision to take. It was essential," Martel was quoted as saying on the official Lens website.
"It's not important that I tell you the amount. The important thing is to know that it was enough. I can tell you that Lens' budget is guaranteed for the year.
"We won't have a single month in the red, unlike a lot of other clubs, and we won't have to ask for an advance on our TV rights money. And it's not impossible that Hafiz will make another gesture before the January transfer window."
The club's fight is not at an end, however, as the CNOSF decision now to be ratified by the French Football Federation (FFF) before the club can take its place in Ligue 1. That ruling is expected later on Monday.
Should the FFF give the club the green light, coach Antoine Kombouare has said he will return to work after boycotting the pre-season training schedule in protest at the situation.
"I told you that I didn't agree. But I didn't think we'd have to wait a month, until this Monday, to be sure of being in Ligue 1," Martel said.
"The saga has been a bit long. I know that he has never given up. We have talked every day on the phone, sometimes seven or eight times a day. Now let's make up for the time lost."
When asked how Kombouare would be punished, he said: "That's my problem."