Bordeaux confirmed in sixth tier of French football
The six-time French champions were sold last month for a symbolic one euro to a US investment group, which took on the remaining debt.
Bordeaux, once one of France's leading football clubs and home to Zinedine Zidane's early career, has been relegated to the sixth tier of French football following financial irregularities. The team was sanctioned by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine league for failing to provide approximately €10 million (US$11.6 million) for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years, as well as meeting debt payments.
Despite being one of France's most successful clubs, Bordeaux has struggled in recent years, being relegated to Ligue 2 in 2022 and placed in judicial restructuring in 2024. This led to the club relinquishing its professional status and its highly-rated academy.
However, with new owners Park Bench taking over the club and agreeing to assume the remaining debt, Bordeaux has been approved to play in the top tier of Regional 1. New president Dominique Delport of Park Bench expressed optimism about the club's future, stating that "rebuilding can now begin."
The team is largely amateur, with only five players on professional contracts, one of which will be former Ligue 1 striker Baptiste Guillaume. Although the club has produced numerous notable players, including academy graduates Bixente Lizarazu and Christophe Dugarry, and Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana, who were part of France's celebrated 1984 European Championship-winning team.
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- Bordeaux confirmed in sixth tier of French football freemalaysiatoday.com
