What does a club get after winning six Ligue 1 titles? Relegation to the third tier, of course! If this riddle sounds unfamiliar, that is because the truth is stranger and sadder than fiction. Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux, commonly known as Bordeaux, had a terrible 2021-22 season which ended in relegation to Ligue 2.
Bordeaux have been relegated to the 3rd division of French football over financial issues. 😬
In 2009 they made the Champions League Quarterfinals and played European football as little as 3 years ago. pic.twitter.com/sszzUqjBNd
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 14, 2022
Somehow, things have gotten even worse now. The DNCG, French football’s financial watchdog, has announced an “administrative relegation” on Bordeaux, dropping them into the third tier. Bordeaux are accused of being mired in financial trouble. FC Villefranche Beaujolais are slated to replace Bordeaux in Ligue for 2022-23.
🚨 Communiqué du Club.
➡ https://t.co/JHdk8TSijl pic.twitter.com/QitmqptNZk
— FC Girondins de Bordeaux (@girondins) June 14, 2022
However, Les Girondins have seven days to appeal the decision and two weeks to come up with the necessary finances. So, what is the case all about, and what happens to the players?
Money problems for a while
Bordeaux have been in the throes of financial uncertainty since before the 2021-22 season began. They were almost relegated at the end of 2020-21, before appealing the decision followed by Gerard Lopez’s takeover.
Bordeaux & Angers preliminarily relegated to Ligue 2 by French football’s financial watchdog, the DNCG – both will appeal & are confident of overturning. https://t.co/5yNySpG1qk
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 2, 2021
However, the situation is much more precarious this time. Bordeaux finished in 20th place, conceding a ridiculous 91 goals and ending up with the worst goal difference (-39).
Lopez has had a history of being faulty with finances, which was the reason he was ousted from Lille.
Bordeaux need to come up with €40m fast if they are to avoid making relegation to Championnat National 1 a reality. However, that is looking more than a little complicated.
Who goes and who stays?
A part of the finances has already been raise through the sell-on clause included in Aurelien Tchouameni’s transfer to Real Madrid.
A figure of €11m is expected to arrive, but more could be on the way….
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