Financial crisis leads Bordeaux to drop to the sixth division

It has been confirmed that Bordeaux, a club that has won the French Ligue 1 title six times, will compete in the sixth division this season after receiving official approval to participate in the regional league due to a financial crisis that has caused its decline in the French football rankings.

The club faced penalties last summer for failing to secure around ten million euros to cover its financial obligations for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 seasons, in addition to repaying accumulated debts.

Bordeaux received unanimous approval to join the regional league after the oversight committee of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine League gave a positive opinion on the financial recovery plan submitted by the new management.

Dominique Delport, the club's new president, stated in an interview with AFP that “the rebuilding process can begin now.”

Bordeaux was sold last month for a symbolic one euro to the American investment group “Park Bench,” which agreed to take on the remaining debts.

The new owners are expected to appear before the commercial court on October 20 to approve a plan for the club's continued operation over the next 12 years, aiming to reduce its debts from 26 million euros to 13 million.

The team currently consists mostly of amateur players, with permission to sign five players on professional contracts, including former Ligue 1 striker Baptiste Guillaume.

Bordeaux has a distinguished history in French football, having seen the emergence of stars like Zinedine Zidane, Bixente Lizarazu, Christophe Dugarry, as well as Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana.

The club's sporting and financial crisis worsened after its relegation to the second division in 2022, followed by entering judicial restructuring procedures in 2024, and losing its professional status and its renowned academy for player development.