French giants Bordeaux relegated to sixth tier for financial irregularities

Bordeaux, six-time French champions, was sanctioned in the summer for financial irregularities and will play in the sixth tier of French football this season, according to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine league. The club failed to provide roughly 10 million euros for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years and to meet debt payments. Last month, Bordeaux was sold for a symbolic one euro to US-based investment group Park Bench, which agreed to take on the remaining debt. The club is now working on a new 12-year continuation plan, reducing its debt from 26 million to 13 million euros, with a largely amateur team and five players on professional contracts.