Bordeaux face Coupe de France deadlock over Saintes tie

Bordeaux’s third-round Coupe de France tie against Saintes is now at risk of being called off or moved again, leaving the financially troubled Girondins facing uncertainty over a match that could become their last if the club enters liquidation. The fixture cannot be staged in Gironde, while Saintes says it cannot host the game under the current conditions.

The meeting was initially scheduled for the previous weekend in Saintes before being postponed because of security concerns. It was then rescheduled for Sunday at 15:00. However, the prefecture has requested €39,700 to cover CRS security, a cost the Départemental 2 club says it cannot absorb. Saintes also says the proposed arrangements would mean playing behind closed doors, eliminating ticket revenue.

A venue in Puymoyen was considered, but authorities have barred the match from taking place in Charente. Saintes vice-president Johan Bernardin says the club will seek to suspend the prefectural order through the courts once it is formally issued. The amateur side has also ruled out forfeiting the tie, citing its volunteers and youth academy.

The impasse now leaves the Nouvelle-Aquitaine League and the French Football Federation needing to find a solution. Bordeaux, relegated to Régional 1 after six French titles, would face Angoulême in the fourth round on 26 September if the tie goes ahead and produces a winner.