Bordeaux in talks with Park Bench to avoid liquidation

The Girondins de Bordeaux are in talks with the U.S. fund Park Bench in a bid to reach an agreement that would avoid judicial liquidation, according to a club lawyer speaking to AFP (as reported by RMC Sport). The situation comes after the club were definitively relegated to regional football, with a strong risk of insolvency and liquidation flagged in early September.

Key talks for survival

As the club’s legal representative told AFP, “an agreement is indeed under discussion” and, if it’s reached, it would effectively prevent judicial liquidation. The report also notes that Park Bench—linked to the British Sparta Capital group tied to the proposed buyout of Bordeaux—had pushed hard back in August with national and administrative bodies to keep the club at national level (N1 or N2, the 4th and 5th tiers), but without success.

After the move to regional level was confirmed and Park Bench initially signaled it would step away (arguing its offer depended on the club playing in the national leagues), representatives extended the escrow over the money required to avoid payments being stopped and to keep the club operating: €10.6m. Park Bench reps were at the commercial court on Thursday and remained in contact with the club.

What’s still missing

Per Sud Ouest (via RMC Sport), the deal could be discussed on Tuesday, including buying back the shares still held by current owner businessman Gérard López, alongside a renegotiation of debts built up during his tenure. If the buyout happens, the regional management control commission of Ligue Nouvelle-Aquitaine will assess the takeover plan and decide which division Bordeaux will play in this season (R1, R2 or R3, from the 6th to the 8th tier). Without a buyout, liquidation could be ordered by the end of September.

On the pitch, Bordeaux have not yet played an official match this campaign. Their Coupe de France third-round tie against Saintes (Departmental 2) scheduled for this weekend is currently in doubt. Saintes said Thursday it couldn’t host Bordeaux due to a reported €40,000 financial cost linked to security and crowd-management needs, with supporters split between two rival groups. Bordeaux say they understand the constraints and insist they warned the French federation “from this summer” about the risks and “missteps” if relegated to regional football.