OM, FC Nantes and OL see Bordeaux dodge liquidation as Park Bench deal closes

In a dramatic reversal, the Girondins de Bordeaux have avoided a judicial liquidation after Park Bench and Gérard Lopez announced a court‑approved agreement to sell the historic club. The deal, still pending formalisation, lifts the immediate threat that loomed over the team following its exclusion from the national leagues and relegation to Régional 1.

Financial restructuring eases the burden

The original continuation plan listed roughly €26 million of debt. Negotiations have reportedly cut that figure to about €13 million, a reduction that makes the project financially viable for the prospective owner. Under the terms, Gérard Lopez will transfer his shares for a symbolic €1 and waive his own claims, effectively ending his involvement with the club.

Legal disputes settled and future steps outlined

Another major obstacle – a €15 million claim by former coach Vladimir Petkovic – has been resolved, with Petkovic set to receive €1.9 million. The commercial court therefore refrained from opening liquidation proceedings, granting the Girondins a crucial breathing space. The new owner must now inject fresh liquidity to cover September wages and present a sustainable budget for the 2026‑2027 season to the regional commission.

Park Bench, the English investment fund that had previously withdrawn after Bordeaux’s demotion, re‑engaged following the debt reduction. Its readiness to proceed despite the club’s regional status marks a significant shift in strategy.

Sparta Capital, initially part of the consortium, had also announced its withdrawal after the federation’s decisions, but the latest court filing indicates the consortium’s core – Park Bench and Lopez – remain committed.

Supporters, who recently heard players voice concerns over their uncertain futures, have welcomed the announcement as a “massive relief”. The club’s legal battles with the DNCG and federal bodies had left its existence in doubt, making the court‑approved agreement a pivotal moment.

While the transaction is not yet finalised, the removal of the liquidation threat and the settlement of the Petkovic dispute represent decisive progress. Bordeaux now prepares for a return to competition in the regional championships, with the hope that new ownership will stabilise both its sporting and financial outlook.