‘The situation is critical’ – Bordeaux owner Gérard Lopez opens up on failed FSG takeover talks and reports of club bankruptcy

Bordeaux owner Gérard Lopez has given a wide-ranging interview to AFP on the club’s situation. The latter is “critical” as it risks filing for bankruptcy. The DNCG – Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, French football’s financial watchdog – have handed Bordeaux an administrative relegation into third-tier National 1 for failing to propose a viable budget to fund a full Ligue 2 season.

The 6-time French champions thought they were handed a lifeline when talks of a takeover with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group were made public last week. However, the Boston-based group recently pulled out of talks, due to the extent of Bordeaux and French football’s financial woes. “In April, we were contacted again by Fenway and two essential elements appeared. First the operating costs of the club and especially the stadium, between the annual rent and the arrears”.

Lopez estimates that those costs rise to €42.5m, to be added to the €42m the club needs to fund a Ligue 2 season. The former Lotus F1 team owner explains that French football’s low TV rights deal proved catastrophic for Bordeaux. “ French football has just taken a hit and we are on the front line because, in terms of timing, we were in negotiations with people for whom it was important.”

Lopez adds that Bordeaux are working on three different scenarios. The first one relates to the last-minute arrival of an economic partner to “plug the hole” in the club’s finances. The second scenario would see the club filing for bankruptcy and disappearing entirely whilst the third one would see Bordeaux under judicial reorganization and fall in amateur leagues.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval