Giresse appeals to authorities to save Girondins from exclusion

Alain Giresse, the all-time appearance record holder and leading goalscorer in Girondins de Bordeaux history (592 matches, 181 goals), has publicly called on French authorities to allow the club’s reinstatement to the national championship, following an exclusion confirmed by the DNCG appeals commission.

The Aquitaine club, six-time French champions, was excluded from national championships after its new owner, British investment fund Sparta Capital — which acquired FCGB from Gérard Lopez on August 2 — failed to inject the 8 million euros required by French football’s financial watchdog. The DNCG appeals commission upheld this sanction, and an appeal filed with the CNOSF also failed.

Despite this bleak picture, Giresse, 74, claims to have spoken with the future owners and says he is convinced of their seriousness. “Everything is back in order. It’s good,” he declared, stating that the necessary funds are now available. However, he was careful to clarify the limits of his approach: “We’re not asking for special treatment, because there has been some in the past, and we can see that other clubs are unhappy about it. This reinstatement must be done properly.”

The former international midfielder nevertheless appeals to the authorities’ sense of responsibility: “Once the financial conditions are met, once we comply with the requirements, of course I appeal to the authorities. Today, they have the information. There is the money. These are not just promises.”

The situation remains critical from a legal standpoint. Girondins have filed an emergency appeal before the Paris Court to overturn the DNCG’s decision. The court has agreed to examine the case and is summoning the club and the FFF this Thursday at 3 p.m. The decision could determine whether Bordeaux can still hope for reinstatement a week before the start of National 1, the competition in which Sparta Capital has made the club’s participation conditional.