Bordeaux owner Gerard Lopez acknowledges “critical situation” after failed takeover bid

Five days before a new decisive hearing, the president of the Girondins de Bordeaux has broken his silence. He has announced several scenarios for the future of the club, including liquidation, but does not want to reinvest from his own pocket.

Gérard Lopez has broken his silence. The owner of the Girondins de Bordeaux, who were relegated to the National (3rd division) as a precautionary measure for financial reasons, acknowledged on Thursday July 18 in an interview with AFP “a critical situation”five days before appealing to the National Management Control Directorate (DNCG). “There are three scenarios on the table, including the liquidation and disappearance of the club”warned the Spanish-Luxembourgish businessman, at the helm of the club since 2021, who should not reinvest to make up the 42 million euros (excluding transfers) missing to return to L2.

After obtaining a reprieve from the financial policeman of French football during their first visit on June 27, the Girondins were relegated as a precautionary measure on July 9, during their second visit. There was hope that day with the presence, alongside its directors, of representatives of the Fenway Sports Group (FSG), owner of Liverpool (Premier League) and interested in becoming the majority shareholder of the club with the scapular.

But since then, talks with FSG have failed, stumbling over “two essential elements” according to Lopez.First, the operating costs of the club and especially the stadium, between the annual rent and the arrears [42,5 millions d’euros estimés]. Then the second aspect, the most catastrophic for us: the non-decision on TV rights” of Ligue 1. “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. So FSG withdrew”he regretted.

Five days before the DNCG is called, three scenarios are therefore on the table. “I don’t want to give false hope. We are working on all three.”acknowledged the Girondin president. “The first is to find a last-minute partner. We have been approached by many people but who, unfortunately, do not have the means. For an investor who does not want to sell players, the initial investment is 200 million over the next four or five years. If he sells players, it is 80 million euros.”he said.

“The second option is the liquidation and disappearance of the clubcontinued Lopez, who assures that he is doing everything to avoid it. Finally, there is the example of the Strasbourg-type rescue, with a move to lower divisions, giving themselves a two-three year break to rebuild.”