Bordeaux expelled from national leagues as sadness, anger and defiance grip city | OneFootball

Girondins de Bordeaux have been officially expelled from the national championships, with a judicial liquidation procedure potentially to follow. According to L'ÉEquipe, the DNCG appeals commission confirmed the exclusion on Wednesday, deepening the gloom across the city.

Le Haillan was deserted in the afternoon, the training session cancelled after a morning run for Rio Mavuba and his players. Cicadas provided the only noise at the usually busy complex.

Since returning on eight July, players say the proposed takeover by Sparta and fears over finances have dominated dressing-room talk. One squad member described a tight-knit group and said the 1-0 win over Les Herbiers on nine May, in front of 27,000, was a standout experience in National two, adding sadness for the supporters.

With relegation to Régional one looming as the best-case scenario and liquidation a possibility, anger has replaced despair for many. Bar manager Benoît voiced fury at Gérard Lopez, while former would-be buyer Bruno Fievet argued Lopez took control by dealing directly with the previous owner, leaving the club with its debts and banking on an unlikely revival.

In the centre, residents spoke of disbelief at how a club that once fielded Zinedine Zidane and Jean-Pierre Papin could fall so far. Ultras leader Florian Brunet said the group would not comment for now, but fans like Hugo pointed to a sizeable core even in National two and maintained the club will not die. As evening arrived, sunshine finally broke through the Bordeaux clouds.

Source: L'Équipe