Bordeaux's Demise Continues: Historic Club Dropped To Sixth Division

Bordeaux edge closer to extinction after relegation to sixth tier

Zidane's former club Bordeaux relegated to sixth tier amid financial crisis. Fallen giants Bordeaux barred from fourth division, face judicial liquidation.

Fallen French giants Bordeaux closer to extinction...

Bordeaux, once a powerhouse of French football and the club where new France head coach Zinedine Zidane first made his name, sank deeper into crisis on Friday.

Years of severe financial trouble have left the Girondins facing possible judicial liquidation. Their situation worsened after the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, CNOSF, dismissed their latest appeal against being kicked out of the national leagues.

According to vice-president Arnaud De Carli, the club was told of the decision on Friday. It means the six-time Ligue 1 champions will not be playing in the fourth division next season as they had planned.

They’ve instead been dropped down to the sixth tier.

Bordeaux can still lodge an appeal within 15 days, but the fourth-tier campaign kicks off on August 22nd.

The punishment came because they failed to provide around €10 million ($11.6 million) to cover the 2025/2026 budget, fund the 2026/2027 season, and pay off debts.

Zidane represented Bordeaux from 1992 to 1996.