Bordeaux fight to avoid relegation to France’s sixth tier after federation decision

Bordeaux have rejected their exclusion from France’s National 2 competition and are contesting a decision that would send the six-time French champions into the regional leagues, effectively the sixth tier or below.

The club issued a statement after the Appeals Committee of the French National Competition Committee ruled that Bordeaux could not take part in France’s second national division. The decision means the club will be administratively relegated from the fifth tier, where they finished second last season, and must instead enter the regional structure.

Regional leagues in France begin at the sixth level of the football pyramid and continue below it.

Bordeaux said they were “extremely disappointed” by the process, claiming their request had not been properly considered by the French Football Federation’s executive committee.

“The club learned that the meeting of the executive committee of the French Football Federation had ended, and its press office revealed that the club would not be admitted to the National Second Division and would have to join the regional level,” Bordeaux said.

“From a legal point of view, one thing is certain: no decision was taken. The executive committee did not discuss the club’s request, which had been submitted with all the supporting documents, and no vote took place.”

The club added: “The competent body did not even examine the request.”

Bordeaux argued that the punishment was disproportionate given the club’s history and status in French football.

“Three points must be made: a club founded in 1881 and crowned French champions six times cannot be liquidated by a court ruling resulting from a meeting that lasted only a few minutes,” the statement said. “That does not reflect its history or its importance to French football.”

The club also disputed concerns over its financial position, saying a final court ruling had confirmed its solvency.

“The club’s arguments were not examined, and the final court ruling confirms its financial viability, with payments made and secured in an escrow account,” Bordeaux said. “A delay of 10 days in providing the funds, which has now been resolved, does not justify such a punishment.”

Bordeaux said it wanted only a fair opportunity to present its case.

“Fairness is what the club expects today – and it has not received it,” the statement continued. “Therefore, the club’s demands are the same as yesterday, and the day before, and every day before that: for the executive committee to hear it regarding its current situation.”

The club said it remained ready to engage with the authorities and would continue its legal challenge.

“The club remains available at any time and will continue to act through every legal avenue to ensure that its situation is examined fairly,” Bordeaux concluded.

The latest crisis follows a major setback in 2024, when Bordeaux were relegated to France’s third tier after declaring bankruptcy. During that period, several potential investors declined to buy the club, including former Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn and Fenway Sports Group, the company that owns Liverpool.

Bordeaux are one of France’s most decorated clubs. They have won the French league title six times, the Coupe de France four times and the French Super Cup three times.

The club is owned by Gerard Lopez, under whose leadership three clubs have gone bankrupt: Portugal’s Boavista, Belgium’s Mouscron and, most recently, Bordeaux.