BORDEAUX, France, May 6, 2008 (AFP) - French first division title-chasers Bordeaux have been ordered to pay 2.5 million euros (3.8m dollars) to former coach Elie Baup for unfair dismissal by an appeals court here on Tuesday.

Baup's lawyer Pierre Blazy said that the club had been ordered to pay the damages and interest to Baup who had initally been demoted in October 2003 after a series of poor results.

'The court's decision seems totally correct to me considering that Mr Baup had committed no fault and he was sacked,' said Blazy.

Bordeaux installed Michel Pavon in charge of the first team, proposing that Baup take over a position of 'general coach' with the job of supervising all the teams.

Baup considered this to be a case of effective dismissal and breach of contract as he was no longer specifically in charge of the first team.

He refused the position and was sacked as Bordeaux considered there had been no modification in his contract.

Baup is now in charge of another French first division side, Toulouse.