Ajaccio face critical situation as club remains without a buyer | OneFootball

Last month, the DNCG (French football’s financial watchdog) informed AC Ajaccio that they would be provided a provisional relegation to the Championnat National at the end of the season if they could not right their current financial situation. As a further measure, the DNCG have taken control of the wage bill and also provided the Corsican club a transfer ban.

During the summer, Ajaccio avoided a similar fate when they successfully appealed their provisional relegation to the third tier of French football. L’Équipe have previously reported the club owner Jean-Noël Fattaccioli had to pay between 2 to 3 million euros from his personal wealth to prevent the club from dropping into semi-professional football.

The French outlet have noted that it is unclear whether Fattaccioli will be willing to do the same at the end of the season. The club have been in search of a new owner announcing in an official statement that they were looking for someone “capable of ensuring the sustainability of the institution.”

The club noted that they have been left in a critical situation due to the drop in broadcasting revenue stating “This year after being informed by the authorities that we had to present a budget based on the television rights of the previous season, it turns out that 2 million have disappeared due to the spectacular drop in rights.”

The club continued, “The urgency of a sale becoming pressing, Mr. Fattaccioli, in contact with a group of buyers signed a sales protocol effective August 31st. The buyers committed to ensuring the maintenance of the club and planned construction of a hotel wherein 50% of the revenues would go to the club. After having requested a postponement to December the 31st, guaranteeing their commitment, the latter finally withdrew.”

GFFN | Nick Hartland