Girondins de Bordeaux, the storied French soccer club and six-time Ligue 1 champions, has officially renounced its professional status due to severe financial difficulties. This significant decision, communicated to the French Football Federation (FFF), comes in the wake of the club’s recent relegation to the semiprofessional third tier.
Bordeaux’s financial woes have been mounting since 2021 when their American owners, King Street, withdrew financial support, plunging the club into administration. Hopes for a financial rescue were recently dashed when a potential takeover by Fenway Sports Group (FSG), owners of Liverpool FC, fell through.
In a statement, Bordeaux detailed the failed takeover deal. The club stated that while discussions had resumed, FSG representatives decided on Monday, July 22, not to proceed despite assurances from various stakeholders. As a result, Bordeaux withdrew their appeal against the DNCG’s decision from July 9, 2024, accepting the administrative demotion to the National 1 Championship for the 2024/2025 season.
The renouncement of professional status means Bordeaux will terminate all player and staff contracts, with players becoming free agents eligible to sign with any club. Additionally, the club will close its training center to reduce costs.
This is the first time since 1937 that Bordeaux will not hold professional status. The club’s last Ligue 1 title was in 2009, but the recent years have seen a decline marked by their relegation to Ligue 2 in 2022 and an inability to recover financially or competitively.
Bordeaux’s future now hangs in the balance as the situation will be further reviewed in commercial court next week, where the possibility of the club folding entirely looms large. This marks a dramatic low point for Bordeaux, ending nearly a century of professional football for the historic club.
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