Girondins Bordeaux FC have been demoted to the third tier of French football due to their financial difficulties but are hoping to lower their burden through earnings from the imminent transfer of former player Jules Kounde from Sevilla to Chelsea FC.

The club finished bottom of Ligue 1 this season and were preparing for a campaign in Ligue 2 for the first time since the early 1990s.

But on Tuesday, they were sanctioned by the National Directorate of Control and Management (DNCG).

It ordered a further demotion to the National 1 division after examining Bordeaux’s finances.

Bordeaux, Ligue 1 champions in 2009, confirmed they are appealing the ruling, which will reportedly provide them an extra two weeks to get their finances in order.

Aurelien Tchouameni’s €100 million ($111 million) move from Monaco to Real Madrid will bring roughly €11 million.

Bordeaux stand to gain a substantial figure if Sevilla sell Kounde, who has been heavily linked with Chelsea.

The club are said to have debts close to €40 million, but a statement on their website suggested confidence in getting the decision overturned.

“Heard on June 14 by the DNCG, the club presented the guarantee of the re-engagement of the majority shareholder in the amount of 10 million euros.

“An agreement with the holders of the club’s debt as well as offers to sell a few players, whose cumulative amount exceeds the objectives set by the Professional Clubs Control Commission,” their statement read.

If Bordeaux successfully overturn the demotion to National 1, they will play the 2022/2023 campaign in Ligue 2.

(dpa/NAN)