There will be no crowd when Bordeaux begin their competitive season on Sunday. The Girondins’ Coupe de France third-round tie at ES Saintes has been ordered to take place behind closed doors after days of uncertainty over security and organisation.
Bordeaux, now playing in Régional 1 following their summer relegation, will travel to face Saintes, a Départementale 2 side, at the Stade Yvon-Chevalier. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00.
Quick facts
- Competition: Coupe de France, third round.
- Match: ES Saintes v Girondins de Bordeaux.
- Date and time: Sunday, 15:00.
- Venue: Stade Yvon-Chevalier in Saintes.
- Decision: the match will be played without spectators.
- Saintes will not be charged for the costs linked to staging the fixture.
The tie had been in doubt for around 10 days, with the scale of the security operation and the logistical demands surrounding Bordeaux’s visit creating a problem for the hosts.
Johan Bernardin, Saintes’ vice-president, said last Thursday that the club could not accept hosting the game under the proposed conditions because of the high security costs and operational constraints. Saintes had not, however, considered withdrawing from the competition.
Following a decision by the Charente-Maritime Prefecture on Friday, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine League’s competitions commission settled the matter. The fixture will remain in Saintes but will be played behind closed doors, with no financial burden placed on the home club.
For Bordeaux, it ends another drawn-out pre-season chapter. Their league future dominated the summer before the club’s demotion to Régional 1, and their first match of the campaign has now required a late administrative solution of its own.
