Girondins de Bordeaux: Park Bench ‘to buy’ club if agreement reached | OneFootball

Girondins de Bordeaux are in talks over a Park Bench-led buyout that could avert liquidation and place the club in a regional league this season.

A club lawyer told AFP that talks are ongoing and, if concluded, would avoid liquidation. Sud-Ouest reports a deal to acquire Gérard Lopez’s shares and restructure debts could be sealed on Tuesday, after which the regional commission would decide whether Bordeaux play in R1, R2 or R3. Without a deal, liquidation could be declared by the end of September.

Bordeaux were sent to the Regional level after failed efforts by Park Bench, with British fund Sparta Capital, to keep them in N1 or N2. Park Bench initially withdrew, saying its offer depended on playing nationally, yet representatives later extended a 10.6 million euro escrow to avoid default and keep the club operating.

The club have not played an official match this season. Their third-round Coupe de France tie at Saintes, already delayed and set for Sunday at 15:00, remains in doubt after the host said it cannot stage the game due to an estimated 40,000 euro cost and concerns over hundreds of rival supporters, the Ultramarines and North Gate.

Bordeaux want the tie to go ahead and say they recognise the constraints and safety demands on small amateur clubs. They add they warned the French Football Federation in the summer about issues likely to arise from Regional relegation.

Source: L'Équipe

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