Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group will not buy Bordeaux, the former French league powerhouse said on Tuesday.
Bordeaux, six-time French champions (most recently in 2009), are appealing against the decision to relegate the club to the third division and are seeking funding guarantees for next season.
“FC Girondins de Bordeaux and its shareholder have been informed by Fenway Sports Group of its decision not to pursue negotiations initiated in recent weeks with a view to the purchase of the club,” Bordeaux said in a statement. “The reasons for this decision include the high cost of the stadium in the coming years and the general economic situation of French football.”
The French league was on the brink of a major crisis just days before reaching a last-minute deal for broadcast rights in France for next season. According to newspaper L'Equipe, the league approved on Sunday “exclusive negotiations” with DAZN and beIN Sports for a total of 500 million euros ($545 million) for the next five seasons. It has not yet announced the details of the deal.
Bordeaux said it would continue to seek alternative solutions to finalise “a financing plan for the 2024-2025 season in view of the appeal hearing.”
