Bad timing. A year and a handful of days before the opening, the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France (September 8 to October 28) is plunging into crisis. It has just lost its general director, Claude Atcher. The Frenchman was laid off on Monday August 29 by decision of the Minister of Sports, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra.
The ministry press release specifies: Claude Atcher is dismissed “ as a precaution" , with " with immediate effect“. But barring an unlikely turnaround, the provisional should become permanent. The 66-year-old former third row, already very involved in the organization of the 2007 World Cup in France, will not take over the leadership of the GIP ((Public Interest Group) France 2023.
In question, “ alarming managerial practices", in the words of the Ministry of Sports, revealed by an article in the daily L'Equipe of June 22, then confirmed by an investigation by the Labor Inspectorate. Still according to the ministry, the management by terror of Claude Atcher and his chief of staff would have had the effect of “ to alter the functioning of the structure » and to immerse a certain number of collaborators in a “ state of suffering"
The decision of the Ministry of Sports, announced Monday August 29 in the early evening, was taken in agreement with the ethics committee of GIP France 2023, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF). It has been approved by World Rugby.
The ministry press release specifies that Claude Atcher “ will no longer be present or active, directly or indirectly, within, in the name and on behalf of the GIP during the entire period of protective layoff. » In short, it disappears from the landscape.
An exceptional France 2023 board of directors will be convened on Friday September 2, “ to ratify this protective layoff and validate that the missions of the general director will be carried out by Julien Collette, deputy general director"
The ministry also announces that it has opened a second investigation. Carried out jointly by the General Inspectorate of Finance and the General Inspectorate of Education, Sport and Research, it aims to “ analyze the existence of possible breaches of economic and financial probity or conflicts of interest and, on the other hand, support the GIP in the organization of certain of its strategic programs.. The inspectors will look in particular at the company vehicle made available to Claude Atcher at the GIP, which several internal testimonies agree to say was mainly used by his wife.
Proof of the seriousness of the facts: all parties concerned rushed to support, from Monday evening, the decision taken by Amélie Oudéa-Castéra to get rid of an actor long presented as essential, but now considered undesirable.
The FFR explained: “ fully associate with the action plan decided today in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and the president of GIP France 2023, Jacques Rivoal“. The national body chaired by Bernard Laporte, a historic ally of Claude Atcher, seems determined to cut ties. “ The Federation has based its action on the protection of all its populations, employees are obviously part of its priorities", she suggested to'AFP.
Same position without nuance for World Rugby. The body assures that it “ fully approves the conclusions and the action plan communicated by the French Ministry of Sports on the subject of the social climate within the France 2023 organizing committee“. She continues: “ The well-being of the rugby family is paramount and central to the values of unity, inclusion and togetherness that embody the World Cup"
Question: who will replace Claude Atcher? The ministry chose caution, trusting the number 2 of the organizing committee, Julien Collette. He is invited to act as a temporary worker, but could also change the temporary into permanent. Martine Nemecek, the tournament director, who attended the World Athletics Championships in 2003 in Paris-Saint-Denis then the Rugby World Cup in 2007, should also move up a notch.
One year before the opening, finding a successor to Claude Atcher outside the organizing committee does not promise to be an easy task. Etienne Thobois, who held the position at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, would have ticked all the boxes. But the Frenchman is not free, since he occupies the seat of general director of the COJO Paris 2024.
Coincidence or not, the dismissal of Claude Atcher comes just a few days before the opening on September 7 in Paris of the trial on suspicion of favoritism surrounding the marketing of the French rugby team. Claude Atcher will appear for concealment of breach of trust, misuse of corporate assets and work concealed by concealment of activity. At his side, on the dock, the president of the FFR, Bernard Laporte, and the owner of the Montpellier club, Mohed Altrad.
