Foot: 'The FFF has done the forcing to block any positive decision', the 'exclusion of the Girondins de Bordeaux from the national championships confirmed by the court'

The French Football Federation (FFF) has been accused of exerting pressure to block any positive decision regarding the future of the Girondins de Bordeaux, according to a source close to the case. The administrative court in Paris confirmed Friday that the club will be excluded from national competitions, following the rejection of its appeal by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF). This decision effectively closes the last legal avenue available to the club to avoid relegation to Regional 1, the sixth tier of French football. The ruling was issued after the administrative court upheld the initial decision made by the French Football Federation in July, which cited financial irregularities within the club. The Girondins, who have won six Ligue 1 titles, face the prospect of being relegated to Regional 1 unless they can prove their financial viability. The court rejected the argument of “new financial viability,” presented by the lawyers of the new owner of the club, Sparta Capital, during Thursday’s hearing. The club, which had been placed under financial control by the Directorate General for Financial Control (DNCG) due to its debts, was acquired in late July by the British fund Sparta Capital for one euro. The new owners deposited 10.6 million euros into the Caisse des Dépôts, covering the shortfall in the club's accounts. However, this deposit was deemed insufficient by the DNCG, leading to the club’s relegation, a decision later confirmed by the appeals committee. The CNOSF did not challenge this ruling. According to the source, the FFF acted against the interests of the club. “We fought hard, but the FFF pushed to block any positive outcome,” the source told Le Figaro. “The administrative court had left a few hours for the FFF to submit a memorandum explaining that the DNCG was ready to reconsider the case. Instead, they submitted a memorandum to maintain their opposition.” The source added that the new owner had already paid the July salaries, even before officially becoming the club’s owner, and had placed 10 million euros under seizure to demonstrate financial capability to the DNCG. The court ruled that the DNCG could not consider documents or commitments made by the club unless they were properly formalized at the time of the appeal hearing. Despite assurances from the new owners that additional funds would be available to keep the club in National 1, the court found these claims insufficient. Legal representatives of Sparta Capital warned that maintaining the club in National 1 would lead to the collapse of the takeover project and ultimately result in the club becoming an association, managed by current president Jean-Louis Triaud, who led the club from 1996 to 2017. The situation highlights the complex interplay between financial regulations and club management in French football. With the Girondins facing potential liquidation, the outcome of this case will have lasting implications for both the club and the broader football ecosystem. The final decision leaves the club with little hope of remaining in the top tiers of French football, marking a significant setback for one of the country’s most storied teams.