The Paris Administrative Court has upheld Girondins de Bordeaux’s exclusion from France’s national leagues, confirming the six-time champions will play in Regional 1, the sixth tier, in 2026–27.

The ruling puts Sparta Capital’s takeover at risk, with the group’s lawyers warning that pulling out of the project could lead to judicial liquidation. The court rejected Bordeaux’s appeal against sanctions imposed by French football’s financial authorities.

The ruling ends the club’s bid to retain a place in France’s national league structure. Bordeaux will instead compete in Regional 1, an amateur regional competition at the sixth level of the French men’s football pyramid.

The sanction relates to financial guarantees required by French football authorities and Bordeaux’s position within the league structure.

Bordeaux has not been placed into liquidation. That risk would arise if Sparta Capital decides it cannot continue with the takeover at the sixth-tier level.

Why Bordeaux Have Been Relegated to France’s Sixth Tier

French football’s financial watchdog, the DNCG, excluded Bordeaux after deciding the club had not provided sufficient financial guarantees.

The French Football Federation upheld the sanction before the Paris Administrative Court rejected Bordeaux’s appeal.

Bordeaux had expected to play in National 1 before the sanctions. The ruling removes them from France’s national league structure.

Sparta Capital agreed to take over Bordeaux from former owner Gerard Lopez at the end of July for a reported symbolic €1 and sought to overturn the sanctions through new funding commitments.

Reports said Sparta placed €10.6 million with France’s Caisse des Depots to cover the gap identified by the DNCG. It also reported access to further funds if Bordeaux retained their National 1 place.

The court rejected Sparta’s argument that the change in ownership gave Bordeaux sufficient financial security to remain in the national leagues.

Why Bordeaux Could Face Liquidation After Sixth-Tier Relegation

Sparta’s legal representatives said the planned takeover could not continue if Bordeaux were required to operate in the sixth tier.

“If it remains in this division, that would lead to the end of the takeover project and therefore its liquidation,” the lawyers said.

The statement described a possible outcome, not a confirmed liquidation process. No court has ordered Bordeaux into liquidation. Bordeaux said it accepted the ruling “with regret” and would examine any remaining legal remedies.

The club also said it was disappointed that recent guarantees offered to secure its continuity were not subject to a new DNCG assessment.

In its statement, Bordeaux said: "FC Girondins de Bordeaux takes note with regret of the decision issued this Friday by the Paris Administrative Tribunal, rejecting the request submitted by the Club and its new investors.

"The Tribunal considered that the new financial commitments provided after the hearing before the DNCG Appeals Commission on July 15 might not be taken into account in the context of this procedure.

"The club regrets that the significant guarantees provided in recent weeks to ensure its continuity cannot be reviewed again by the DNCG.

"FC Girondins de Bordeaux will now examine, as quickly as possible, all remaining legal avenues of appeal. The club and its shareholders remain fully committed to defending the future of the Girondins."

What Bordeaux’s Relegation to Regional 1 Means for the Club

Regional 1 is a regional amateur league. Bordeaux will be outside France’s national professional and semi-professional competition structure in 2026-27. The club has won six French titles, most recently in 2009.

Bordeaux were relegated from Ligue 1 in 2022 and entered judicial restructuring in 2024, losing their professional status. Sparta’s commitment to the takeover and any further legal action remain unresolved.