Girondins de Bordeaux propose direct National 2 entry

Girondins de Bordeaux have put forward an unusual route back into the French national league system after failing to overturn their exclusion from National 1. The club proposed joining National 2 directly, placing it between the team’s wish to return to the third tier and its current position.

The idea was presented to the French Football Federation’s executive committee on Thursday morning. Bordeaux would enter Group H of National 2 by taking the place of Union Foot de Touraine, which has been promoted to National 1. Bordeaux have already pursued appeals before the DNCG’s appeals body, the CNOSF and the administrative court without securing a change.

The proposal faces a major legal problem because no current regulation appears to give the federation a way to make such an arrangement. Approval could also lead other National 1 and National 2 clubs to challenge the decision. That would add another layer of uncertainty to Bordeaux’s attempt to resolve its sporting status.

The initial response from the federation has offered little encouragement. Of the 27 executive committee members consulted on whether to examine the case and potentially send it back to the DNCG, only 11 replied. Six of those respondents opposed taking that step. The conduct of Bordeaux’s leaders and outgoing shareholders, including Dominique Delport, has also reportedly caused strong irritation within the federation.