The Girondins de Bordeaux, a six-time champion of France, have been placed into receivership on Tuesday and were subsequently relegated by the FFF to National 2, the fourth division of French football. This decision came after the club had already been relegated to National, the third division, due to financial difficulties by the LFP’s DNCG on July 9th. The club had initially hoped to stay in National after a court decision, but the FFF’s DNCG decided to apply the regulations and relegate them to an even lower division.
Despite efforts to restructure and reduce their debts through receivership, the Girondins de Bordeaux are facing challenges as they transition to National 2. The club had previously considered an appeal to the DNCG’s decision, or even seeking conciliation through the CNOSF, but time constraints before the start of the new season on August 16 may limit their options. The club, which was taken over by Gerard Lopez in 2021, is now at risk of facing further financial difficulties and potential layoffs as part of a restructuring plan to address their debt of 42 million euros.
By entering receivership, the Girondins de Bordeaux have temporarily avoided liquidation, which they previously experienced in 1991. The club’s lawyer, Me Laurent Cotret, has mentioned the possibility of a social plan and other measures as part of their restructuring plan to pay off debts and ensure the sustainability of the club. This could potentially lead to significant job losses for the club’s staff, including 90 administrative employees and contracted players. The club is now faced with the challenge of finding a viable path forward to secure its future in the midst of these financial difficulties.
The decision to relegate the Girondins de Bordeaux to National 2 was a necessary measure to align with the regulations surrounding clubs in receivership. The LFP’s regulations state that a club in receivership should be relegated to a division lower than the one they would have qualified for based on sporting performance. While this decision may be difficult for the club and its supporters, it is a necessary step to ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the club in the long term. The club will need to navigate these challenges and work towards a sustainable future in lower divisions of French football.
The future of the Girondins de Bordeaux remains uncertain as they navigate the challenges of receivership and relegation. The club will need to focus on restructuring their finances, potentially making difficult decisions about layoffs and cost-cutting measures, and finding a way to rebuild and compete in lower divisions of French football. The support of the fans and the efforts of the new ownership will play a crucial role in determining the club’s path forward during this difficult period. It remains to be seen how the Girondins de Bordeaux will overcome these challenges and work towards a brighter future in French football.
