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SportsBordeaux faces relegation risk after failing to secure €9m payment
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Girondins de Bordeaux is facing potential relegation after failing to secure a €9 million payment before a crucial hearing with the DNCG, French football's financial watchdog. The club's current owner Gérard Lopez and prospective buyers from British fund Sparta Capital revised their plans, but the money will not be deposited by Tuesday's hearing. Bordeaux leaders appeared in commercial court to request a two-week extension to allow the funds—€3 million from Lopez and €6 million from Sparta Capital—to be sequestered. Simultaneously, Sparta Capital is seeking assurances from the Bordeaux Metropolis regarding rent and potential acquisition of the Stade Atlantique, hoping to attract partners. A meeting between the fund and local elected officials took place on Monday afternoon to address these issues. The DNCG could either place the club under a stay of proceedings or impose relegation, with a potential appeal deadline of July 15.
Source report
According to Sud Ouest, the €9 million contribution expected by the French football financial watchdog (DNCG) to close the past season and secure the next one will not arrive by Tuesday — the scheduled date for the Girondins' hearing. The club's leaders, specifically Gérard Lopez and the prospective buyers via Sparta Capital, are set to appear before the DNCG.
Possible Outcomes
- Stay of proceedings for the National 2 team's case, if the file is deemed valid
- Relegation, followed by a likely appeal from the club, to be processed before July 15
Efforts to Buy Time
Present at the Bordeaux commercial court on Monday, club leaders — including takeover candidate Franck Tuil and his associates — met with plan administrator Franck Michel and supervising judge Jean-Louis Blouin.
The leaders are reportedly seeking to buy approximately two weeks to facilitate the arrival of funds:
- €3 million from Lopez
- €6 million from Sparta Capital
This delay would also allow for the sequestration of these funds, among other measures.
Sparta Capital Seeks Local Support
The British fund is also working to obtain assurances from the Metropolis and its president, Thomas Cazenave, who has so far been highly skeptical. Key concerns include:
- Rent for the Stade Atlantique
- Proposals to acquire the stadium
The ideal path forward would involve attracting partners. A meeting between Sparta Capital and local elected officials may take place on Monday afternoon for this purpose.
Source
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Bordeaux FC faces financial crisis, potential relegation over unpaid stadium rent