Ligue 2 side Bordeaux have been handed a fresh set of sanctions by the DNCG – French football’s financial watchdog – this afternoon, involving restrictions on the team’s wage bill and transfer business.
As reported by regional outlet Sud Ouest, the club management were expecting the DNCG to take action – and were hoping to avoid further punishment, such as another administrative relegation – given their reported €30m provisional deficit and a loss in earnings between €5m and €10m.
The six-time top flight champions, who currently sit 13th in Ligue 2 in the midst of their second season since relegation, are now expected to proceed with further player sales this month. Norwegian defender Stian Gregersen is closing in on a move to MLS outfit Atlanta United for a fee worth €1.8m. France Bleu indicate that all but a handful of players in the squad are on the market, with defender Malcom Bokélé and midfielder Danylo Ihnatenko notably attracting interest. The club are said to be targeting a defender to replace Gregersen and a mobile forward to strengthen the team.
According to L’Équipe, the Gérard Lopez-owned club were hoping to bring in a minority investor in time for today – they were given a month from the initial December 14 DNCG hearing to bring further guarantees to the table. Despite indications that talks were underway with investment funds – two of them American and one European – no third-party investment has materialised as of yet. The Luxemburgish-Spanish businessman – who has been at the helm since 2021 – reportedly remains in talks with potential partners.
In the wake of the sanctions, the club released a statement:
“As the club has been committed for the last three years to a responsible management approach aimed at gradually reducing its wage bill and generating more income from player sales than it invests in at the transfer window, this decision to limit the wage bill and transfer fees will have no impact on the club’s operational management.”
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
