2023 Rugby World Cup Organising Committee Chief Executive Suspended

This week it was announced that Claude Atcher, chief executive of the organising committee for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, has been suspended in a decision made by the French government and supported by World Rugby, media reports claim.

In June 2022, popular French sports publication L’Équipe reported that Atcher oversaw a ‘climate of terror’ at Groupement d’Interet Public (GIP). Employees claimed to have “suffered panic attacks, burn-out, as well as verbal abuse, while the publication also alleged that Atcher ran up bills to the value of tens of thousands of euros by ordering minicabs for his personal use reported sportsmediapro.com

The decision by the Sports Ministry, which was announced on Monday 29 August, was taken in agreement with the ethics committee of the France 2023 IPG, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF), and was approved by World Rugby. In total, there were 15 testimonies against Atcher.

The suspension follows a preliminary investigation into his workplace conduct following the report in June 2022 but Atcher has denied financial impropriety and bullying. The investigation is claimed to have “uncovered potential corruption and supported the claims that Atcher “had ruled by fear and did not properly adhere to financial rules.”

World Rugby said in a statement: “World Rugby fully supports the independent review and action plan communicated by the French Sports Ministry in relation to the working culture within the France 2023 Organising Committee (GIP France 2023).”

They added, “World Rugby was deeply concerned by the allegations made through the French media. The well-being of the rugby family is paramount and central to the values of unity, inclusivity and fun that epitomise Rugby World Cup, the sport’s ultimate celebration of togetherness.

While noting that the final review report is pending, World Rugby’s immediate priority is to continue to provide its full support and assistance to the France 2023 Organising Committee to partner in the delivery of what promises to be an exceptional Rugby World Cup in France.” The governing body added that it would be inappropriate to further comment until the conclusion of the independent process.

The French sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera added that Atcher would face a disciplinary procedure that could lead to his dismissal and a second report by France’s Inspectorate of Work has been ordered which will determine whether the managerial practices amounted to a criminal offence.

In a statement, the GIP said: “Atcher will no longer be present or active, directly or indirectly, within, in the name of and on behalf of the GIP during the period of layoff.”

Julien Collette, Atcher’s deputy, has been installed as a provisional replacement in the role of 2023 Rugby World Cup Organising Committee Chief Executive.

Photo Credit: RWC 2023

French Rugby Officials Facing Charges

Bernard Laporte, who is the president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR) is also standing trial in a separate corruption case.

Laporte, the vice-chairman of World Rugby faces six different charges in the trial relating to his dealings with Mohed Altrad, who owns the French club Montpellier and whose company sponsors the French national team. Laporte is accused of ‘corruption by a person charged with a public service mission, influence peddling, breach of trust to the detriment of the FFR, illegal taking of interests’.

Altrad in turn is on trial for various financial charges, including ‘active bribery of a person charged with a public service mission’ added sportsmediapro.com.

In total, Atcher, FFR vice president Gilles Simon, as well as Benoît Rover, an associate of Atcher’s, are also on trial but all deny the various charges.

The trial is due to begin on 7^th September 2022.

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