It’s been a year since they had to enter the second division. It almost went even deeper due to money problems. However, three days before the start of the season, an offer of arbitration from the National Olympic Committee was accepted in agreement with the French Football Federation, allowing Girondins Bordeaux to start in the second-tier Ligue 2 in the 2022/23 season.
Due to a fan scandal and a game being abandoned, the traditional club is now in danger of missing out on a possible return to the first French football league on the last day of Ligue 2. In the home game against Rodez AF on Friday evening, a Girondins fan stormed onto the pitch in the 22nd minute after the relegation-prone guests had made it 1-0 and knocked the jubilant goalscorer Lucas Buades to the ground. Referee Nicolas Rainville then called off the game.
“We followed the rules. Unfortunately, one person deprived everyone else of the opportunity to do their job and enjoy a nice sporting moment,” Rainville said, according to French media – abandoning the game was the only option.
Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra welcomed the decision. “Violence has no place in stadiums and our policy is clear: zero tolerance,” she tweeted. One will “pay very close attention to the sanctions that will be imposed”. Buades suffered a concussion, as Rodez coach Didier Santini shared: “He wasn’t feeling well in the dressing room and was then taken to the hospital.”
The responsible disciplinary committee of the French league association LFP has announced a decision for Monday. Six-time French champions Bordeaux are threatened with a severe penalty and defeat at the green table. The direct resurgence would therefore no longer be possible. In addition to the table first AC Le Havre, the now second-placed FC Metz would then rise.
Girondins President Gérard Lopez wants to fight for a replay and take advantage of all instances, as he said at a press conference on Friday evening. In addition, action will be taken against the fan who caused the game to be abandoned. Rodez is without rating the abandoned game as 17th on a relegation zone. If Rodez were awarded the win, the club would be saved – and FC Annecy would have to be relegated.
