Paris (AFP)

The probable buyer of Bordeaux Gérard Lopez on Monday displayed his optimism at the start of a decisive week for the Girondins, after going to defend his case before the financial policeman of French football who threatens him with an administrative demotion.

"It was a typical working meeting, we presented our file, we will now wait for the result, it was a good exchange", declared the Spanish-Luxembourg businessman after an hour and a half in front of the DNCG of the LFP (Professional Football League), in the presence of the current management of the Girondins and in particular of President Frédéric Longuépée.

On July 2, the Girondins announced that they had been demoted as a precaution in Ligue 2 due to the withdrawal of the majority shareholder King Street after a first hearing before the National Control and Management Directorate (DNCG).

The club had appealed.

When it came out on Monday, Gérard Lopez did not reveal the main lines of his project, but the former owner of Lille said he was "still" optimistic after this meeting.

"We know we have a good record but I'm not going to start talking about what the DNCG will say," concluded Gérard Lopez, who is awaiting an answer on Tuesday, after another hearing at the French Football Federation at the end afternoon.

- The Lille experience -

The seduction operation continues for the former boss of the Lotus automobile team.

Gérard Lopez had already had to convince the elected officials of Bordeaux Métropole, owner of the Matmut Atlantique stadium on Friday.

The latter approved the guarantees provided by the 49-year-old businessman for the payment of the stadium's rent.

Another crucial step in the redemption of the club to the scapular.

With the exception of the communist group and Philippe Poutou (NPA), all elected officials voted for the company Jogo Bonito Group, owned by Mr. Lopez, to replace King Street for the payment of this rent of an annual amount. of 4.9 million euros.

"This substitution will remain conditional in particular on the finalization of the takeover process (validation by the DNCG then the commercial court among others)", had warned Bordeaux Métropole.

"The home stretch? Conversely, it may be the start of a lot of work," said Gérard Lopez.

Lots of work for a club and supporters who are eagerly awaiting the aftermath of King Street.

While the threat of legal redress loomed large at the end of June, the agreement reached with Lopez had relieved the lovers of the Girondins, despite his mixed visit to Lille between January 2017 and December 2020.

His business model - borrowing a lot and at a high rate to buy the club, "trading" players acquired young and / or without transfer compensation before being sold to finance the loan - had then led him to sell the club. Losc in December 2020, despite good sporting results: he was unable to honor the debt borrowed from the investment fund Elliott Management (EUR 225 million).

Gérard Lopez nevertheless responded in June to the expectations of the Rothschild investment bank, responsible for the sale of the club, with his personal resources (7 million euros) and the help of the Scapular Club, an association of 250 entrepreneurs who provided around 5 million euros.

The FCGB Lopez version then took shape on June 27, five days after the takeover announcement, when he appointed Admar Lopes technical director.

Because after the administrative and financial aspect, Lopez will also be expected on the sporting side after a complicated season, finished in 12th place.

Many departures have already been recorded: Youssouf Sabaly, Jean-Michaël Seri, Vukasin Jovanovic, Hatem Ben Arfa, Nicolas de Préville and Maxime Poundjé.

On the arrivals side, the only final signature is that of midfielder Issouf Sissokho, while Davy Rouyard, Malcom Bokele, Tidiane Malkec have signed their first professional contract.

On Monday, another Ligue 1 club, Sco d'Angers, appeared in front of the DNCG to avoid going downstairs.

© 2021 AFP