Former Ligue 1 Champions Bordeaux Give Up Professional Status After Bankruptcy Filing – News18

French football club Bordeaux have given up their professional status days after being relegated from the Ligue 2 to the third division of French football. The six-time French champions announced earlier this week that they would play in the third tier starting from the 2024/25 season. They had reportedly withdrawn their appeal against relegation for financial failings. Just days after the announcement Bordeaux informed the French Football Federation (FFF) they were renouncing the club’s professional status, obtained nearly a century ago in 1937. “Given the very short deadlines before the start of the National 1 season, the Club had to give up requesting the maintenance of its professional status,” they wrote in their official statement today, July 26.

Bordeaux were dropped from Ligue 2 to National 1 by the National Directorate of Management Control due to financial concerns. They reportedly failed to acquire the $43.6 million they needed to balance their books.

In their latest statement, Bordeaux announced that the club had filed for bankruptcy due to financial shortcomings. “Following the confirmation of the DNCG’s decision to relegate FC Girondins de Bordeaux to National 1, the Club filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday with the Bordeaux Commercial Court in order to begin the necessary restructuring,” they wrote.

Speaking further in their official statement, Bordeaux talked about how this was a difficult decision for the club. “This is a difficult decision that anticipates an inevitable consequence of the restructuring process underway. If the training centre closes as a result, the club will continue to promote youth teams,” they added. The renowned Bordeaux Academy has helped develop some renowned talents, including the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Bixente Lizarazu.

The news was so disheartening that it sparked a reaction from Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the young Frenchman wrote, “It is difficult to accept the situation of my favourite club Bordeaux but I am certain that the future will offer us better days. With all my heart with the lovers of the club.”

Bordeaux have suffered from an array of financial struggles in recent years. The former French champions were initially relying on a takeover from Liverpool owners FSG to save the French side from further penalties. After FSG decided to pull out of talks to purchase Bordeaux, the club had to accept relegation to the third tier. It has also been reported that the club will now terminate player contracts while also closing the training centre to reduce the financing needs.

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