Bordeaux's Lopez willing to sell shares to Sparta Capital for symbolic €1

Published Jul 17, 08:13 AM UTC

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Girondins de Bordeaux faces potential judicial liquidation after being excluded from all national competitions due to financial difficulties. Owner Gérard Lopez confirmed on July 17, 2026, that he is willing to sell his shares for a symbolic euro to investment fund Sparta Capital. The fund, which previously failed to raise necessary funds, remains interested and could facilitate an appeal to the CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee) to keep the club in the fourth division (National 2). Approximately 9-10 million euros are needed to secure next season's budget, pay debt repayments, and cover unpaid installments. If the sale proceeds and funds are raised, Bordeaux could avoid bankruptcy; otherwise, the club faces relegation to the sixth division or liquidation. The situation is critical, with Lopez's other club, Boavista, also about to shut down.

Source report

Gérard Lopez confirmed this Thursday that he is prepared to sell his shares in Girondins de Bordeaux for a symbolic €1. Investment fund Sparta Capital remains interested and could facilitate an appeal to the CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee) in a bid to keep the club in the fourth division.

A Monument in Peril

Plagued by severe financial difficulties, Girondins de Bordeaux cannot balance its budget under Gérard Lopez. After the owner refused to inject further funds to sustain the club at the fourth national level, the club now faces the risk of judicial liquidation. Although potential buyer Sparta Capital failed to raise the necessary funds before the DNCG appeal commission, it remains interested in a takeover — under certain conditions.

Following a meeting this Thursday before the commercial court, Lopez agreed to sell his shares for a symbolic €1. Representatives of Sparta Capital subsequently met with court officials handling the Bordeaux case to demonstrate their good faith, according to reports from Sud-Ouest.

A Sale Before a Hearing at the CNOSF?

If the sale of Girondins by Gérard Lopez proceeds — while his Portuguese club Boavista is on the verge of shutting down — Sparta Capital's arrival could enable a strong appeal before the CNOSF. To do so, the investment fund must raise sufficient funds to convince the body that Bordeaux can sustain operations in D4 and be reinstated in national competitions. Failing that, Bordeaux would find itself — at best — at the regional level, dropping to the sixth division.

Sportingly relegated to Ligue 2 in 2022, then administratively to National 2 in 2024, the club has now been excluded from all national championships. This decision was announced two weeks ago and confirmed Wednesday by the DNCG appeal commission.

Around €10 Million Needed for Bordeaux

Unlike the previous proposal — where Gérard Lopez sold his shares to Sparta Capital for an unconfirmed amount — the purchase for a symbolic €1 could simplify the company's fundraising efforts to secure the club's survival.

The required amount remains the same as before the DNCG appeal commission hearing (approximately €9 to €10 million), but the symbolic sale could help avoid judicial liquidation. If Sparta Capital secures the sum, Bordeaux will be able to:

Cover next season's budget (€3.5 million)
Meet the debt repayment deadline of June 2027 (€3.5 million)
Finance the remaining unpaid installments from 2025–2026

If the funds are not raised, the club will face bankruptcy.

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Source

Home Football - actualitésWestern

Original headline: L'ultime scénario qui pourrait empêcher les Girondins de Bordeaux de couler

Original language: FR

Part of this Story

Bordeaux Football Club Excluded from National Competitions, Relegated to Regional 1

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