A week ago, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) seemed to condemn the Girondins de Bordeaux by officially withdrawing from the buyout process that had been considered for a while. Indebted to the tune of 42 million euros, the club with the scapular, administratively relegated to the National League on July 9 by the National Management Control Directorate (DNCG), saw its last viable recourse disappear.
This Tuesday, Gérard Lopez and his teams are going back to the DNCG to study their appeal – with a likely disastrous outcome given the situation. Yes, but there you have it, a miracle may be in sight since the Fenway Sports Group, owner of Liverpool in particular, is reportedly back at the negotiating table according to information from the daily Sud-Ouest this Monday.
A gesture expected by FSG
Why such an about-face? Because the FSG knows it is in a position of strength and wants to encourage the Bordeaux metropolitan area to participate in the war effort. In particular by lowering the rent of the Matmut-Atlantique (nearly 5 million euros per year) and by abandoning certain debts (for a total of around 20 million euros). However, beware of excessive confidence and optimism. Although the signal is obviously positive, nothing has yet been decided. Worse, discussions between the various protagonists remain tense, if not blocked.
” There are three scenarios on the table, including the liquidation and disappearance of the club.Gérard Lopez did not hide this in recent days. Not being promoted to Ligue 1 last season was a real cold shower, a real blow.
(…) We are working on three scenarios. The first is to find a last-minute partner. We have been approached by many people but who, unfortunately, do not have the means… The second option is the liquidation and disappearance of the club. Finally, there is the example of the Strasbourg-type rescue, with a move to lower divisions, giving ourselves a two or three year break to rebuild. » So there is indeed a fourth option.
