The six-time French soccer champion Girondins Bordeaux falls into the third division because of financial problems.
After an economic test, the relegated from Ligue 1 will have to compete in the National, the third division, next season. This was announced by the league association LFP on Tuesday.
Bordeaux, champions for the last time in 2009, is owned by the Spanish-Luxembourgish businessman Gerard Lopez, who has appeared in the past as a Formula 1 racing team owner, among other things.
In the 1980s in particular, Girondins was one of the most successful French clubs with three league titles and two cup victories.
The stars included the European champions Jean Tigana and Bernard Lacombe as well as the future world champion coach Aime Jacquet.
In the past season, the club descended from bottom of the table.