French financial watchdog let Red Star FC be sold to ‘risky’ US investors, new documents reveal | OneFootball

France’s football financial regulator carried out only a minimal check before allowing US investment firm 777 Partners to buy historic Paris club Red Star FC in 2022, new documents show. The documents were released after nearly four years of legal battles by the Collectif Red Star Bauer a Red Star supporters group which first requested access from the French FA in May 2022. Despite favourable rulings from France’s administrative courts the information was only handed over in February 2026. They reportedly reveal that the DNCG conducted a “superficial” review of 777 Partners’ finances and legal standing before approving the takeover by former Red Star owner Patrice Haddad. 777 Partners later went bankrupt, with its executives facing legal action in the United States, but the sale had already been completed. Former co-founder Josh Wander was indicted in a $500m fraud case, with charges of wire fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy possibly leading to a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison each.By comparison, English authorities blocked 777 Partners from buying Everton FC, who were later purchased by The Friedkin Group. The Collectif says the documents show French clubs remain vulnerable to “toxic buyers” and back a new law proposed in the French national assembly in September 2025. It would aim to ban multi-club ownership and overhaul club sale approvals.GFFN | George Boxall