Trouble at Zidane’s old club

It’s been a terrible year for most football clubs who are trying to cope with financial restrictions that are gripping the sport due to Covid-19 pandemic. No fans in the stands, reduced revenues, increasing debts and unrest are making everyone fighting just to stay afloat. Situation in France is proving even more precarious with most clubs still reeling after the collapse of the Ligue 1 broadcasting deal with Mediapro last year.

The club that won Ligue 1 just 12 years ago is now in peril. The team that once featured a young Zinedine Zidane and many other French internationals, could lose its place in the top flight or even dissolve completely unless a new owner comes forward.

Zinedine Zidane is the club's bet-ever player (©Gallo Images)

King Street, the American investment fund that owns Bordeaux, made it clear that it no longer can keep funding the club and that it wishes to offload the six-times champions of France. Simply put, money has dried up.

Girondins de Bordeaux have released a statement in which they are informing the public that the Bordeaux Commercial Court has been put in charge of the club’s finances. This effectively means that the club can no longer sustain itself and that the state will now assume control until a solution is found.

Luckily for the team’s long-suffering fans, there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel. The 51-year-old businessman Bruno Fievet, who already tried to buy the club last year, may get another chance. He confirmed that he is still interested and that he’d love to swoop in and take Girondins off King Street’s hands.

"We had a negative response after an offer we made in September. I did not see the light at the end of the tunnel in this recovery project, it arrived today. Concretely, we will discuss with the court to find out under what conditions the club is for sale. Club president Federic Longuepee’s last task is to find a reliable buyer. Depending on what we are going to announce, we will be able to propose a take-back offer."

Potential saviour: Bruno Fievet (©AFP)

The price hasn’t been revealed in the press but it doesn’t look like it should be too big of a stumbling block because the Americans can’t wait to cut their losses and get out.

Things could get nasty if Bruno Fievet doesn’t succeed at taking control. The club could file for bankruptcy if no other investor is found soon and the debt, which already stands just under $100million, spirals out of control. If that is to happen, the club might either dissolve completely or will be sold at cut-price for anyone who’d be willing and able to pay off the accumulated bills.

The supporters of this traditional club are in shock as former players and notable fans urge the failing owners to leave football forever while hoping that it’s not too late for the club to find a sound footing and overcome this perilous situation.

Girondins de Bordeaux are currently 16th in the Ligue 1 table with five more matchdays of the campaign to be played.