Court validates Bordeaux sale, ending López era

Court validates Park Bench's takeover plan, ending Gérard Lopez's ownership and averting liquidation after Bordeaux's collapse from Ligue 1 to sixth tier.

Bordeaux's commercial court has approved Park Bench's modified restructuring plan, formally validating the takeover from Gérard Lopez and eliminating the final condition blocking the sale. The decision ends the risk of judicial liquidation for the historic club.

López has owned the Girondins since July 2021 but oversaw a catastrophic decline, taking the club from Ligue 1 to regional sixth-tier football in five years. After initial relegation in 2021–22 despite hiring experienced manager Vladimir Petkovic, López's mismanagement accumulated massive debt.

Following two Ligue 2 seasons, the DNCG imposed administrative relegation to National and then National 2 in summer 2024 alongside judicial restructuring proceedings. A potential rescue by Fenway Sports Group (Liverpool's majority owner) fell through.

Bordeaux continued to struggle, earning further economic sanctions and exclusion from national competitions, dropping to Régional 1 (sixth tier) for 2026–27.

With liquidation now averted, the club can focus on rebuilding under new ownership. Bordeaux are currently third in their Régional 1 group with three games in hand and have already exceeded subscription targets with over 4,000 season tickets sold. A press conference is scheduled for Monday morning to present the new management team and outline future plans.