Bordeaux Accepts Relegation To Third Division After Withdrawing Appeal

Former French Ligue 1 champions, Bordeaux, said on Tuesday they will play in the third tier next season after withdrawing their appeal against relegation for financial failings.

On July 9, Bordeaux, who won the last of their six first-division titles in 2009, faced sanctions from the DNCG, the financial watchdog of French football, due to the need to secure 40 million euros to stabilize their finances.

They had been in talks with the owners of Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), before the American investors pulled out of negotiations earlier this month.

“Even if discussions had restarted in recent days, representatives of FSG told Bordeaux and their majority shareholder yesterday, Monday, July 22, it no longer wanted to pursue talks despite guarantees brought by the different interested parties,” Les Girondins said in a statement.

“Due to the lack of new information, Bordeaux has withdrawn their appeal against the DNCG’s decision of July 9, 2024.

“As a result, Bordeaux accepts the punishment of an administrative relegation to National 1 for the 2024/2025 season and will once again have to present its financial budget to the DNCG.

“The club and its shareholders assure supporters, and all interested parties, their desire to protect the club’s interests,” they added.

Bordeaux, the club that once featured former stars like Zinedine Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu, was relegated to Ligue 2 in 2022 after finishing 20th in the top flight.

They have not played in the third division since becoming professional in the 1930s.

The new National season begins on August 16 with Bordeaux expected to play at their 42,000-capacity Matmut Atlantique home, France’s sixth-biggest stadium, for the campaign.