Key facts
- English investment fund Park Bench is close to buying Girondins de Bordeaux.
- The deal is expected to be for a symbolic one euro.
- The acquisition aims to prevent the club's liquidation and allow it to restart in Regional 1.
- The plan involves renegotiating the club's debts, reducing total claims from 26 million euros to about 13 million euros.
- Severance claims for former coach Vladimir Petkovic and assistant Antonio Manicone have been agreed upon.
English investment fund Park Bench, reportedly linked to James Bord, is on the verge of acquiring French football club Girondins de Bordeaux from current owner Gérard Lopez for a nominal fee of one euro. The deal, presented to the Bordeaux commercial court, is designed to prevent the club's liquidation and enable its restart in the Regional 1 league.
The proposed takeover includes a comprehensive renegotiation of the club's substantial debts. The continuation plan is set to span 12 years, with total claims expected to decrease from 26 million euros to approximately 13 million euros. Specific agreements have been reached regarding severance claims for former coach Vladimir Petkovic and his assistant Antonio Manicone, significantly reducing their initial demands. Fortress's claim is also slated for reduction.
Discussions are ongoing concerning the annual rent for the Stade Atlantique with the Métropole. For the deal to be finalized, all necessary paperwork must be submitted and approved by the commercial court and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional clubs control commission, which will confirm Bordeaux's participation in Group B of Regional 1.