Six time Ligue 1 champions relegated to third tier amid financial struggles

• Bordeaux were first relegated on administrative grounds back in 1990, but bounced back in 1992
• Nearly three decades later and the club is in a similar predicament after being demoted to the Championnat National
• Reports claim the club, who finished last in the Ligue 1 last season, have debts amounting to €40million
• Despite an initial appeal, the French Football Federation confirmed the sanctions imposed on the 2009 Ligue 1 champions would stand

French outfit Bordeaux has been relegated to the third tier, with the club facing a real possibility of bankruptcy.

The six-time French champions will now play their football in the Championnat National after the DNCG (National Directorate of Management Control) dismissed the club’s appeal.

They finished last in the Ligue 1 last season and were preparing for their first spell in the Ligue 2 since 1990.

But they were handed a double whammy after they were slapped with another demotion after DNCG examination of their finances.

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Their plunge into the third tier now puts the club under the possibility of going completely bankrupt.

In response to their latest plight, Club owner Gerard Lopez criticized the move, saying the club would continue to fight the decision.

'This decision clearly threatens the disappearance of a great French club,' said Bordeaux's managing director Thomas Jacquemier as quoted on Daily Mail.

The club’s debts amount to nearly €40million, and despite the efforts to appeal, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the sanctions would stand.

How did Bordeaux fare last season?

In the top flight, Bordeaux had a torrid 2021/22 campaign as the club racked up a mere 32 points, scoring 51 goals the entire season.

The fact that they conceded a league-high total of 91 goals also did little to help their cause.

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What is certain, is that the club has experienced a dramatic decline, as they will now play outside the top flight for the first time since 1991-92.

As recently as 2010, Bordeaux was reigning league champions and was competing in Europe.

PSG name Gatlier as new boss

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported of Paris Saint Germain’s move to appoint Christophe Galtier as the new head coach.

Galtier, who left PSG's Ligue 1 rivals Nice last month, has signed a two-year deal at the Parc des Princes with the French champions confirming the appointment shortly after announcing Pochettino's departure.

The club had earlier issued a short statement confirming what had been widely touted for weeks -- the departure of Pochettino with a year remaining on his contract.