How you do what you do is important, and the management style of French Rugby World Cup boss Claude Atcher has led to him being suspended from his position yesterday by the French Sports Ministry.
He has been under investigation since a June report in L’Equipe newspaper that his aggressive management style had caused serious levels of staff dissatisfaction, anxiety and burnout.
A statement from the Ministry confirmed yesterday that “Claude Atcher will no longer be present or active, directly or indirectly, within, in the name of or on behalf of the Groupement ‘d’Interet Public (The tournament organising committee) during the period of layoff.
His Deputy Julien Collette has been installed as interim boss and is expected to be confirmed in the role at a Board meeting next Friday.
The move was supported by World Rugby who also said in a statement “World Rugby was deeply concerned by the allegations made through the French media. The wellbeing of the rugby family is paramount and central to the values of unity, inclusivity and fun that epitomise the 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. It would be inappropriate to further comment until the conclusion of the independent process.”
That process is ongoing but clearly, the evidence gained so far and a potential interim finding has created enough doubt about Atcher to force the move.
It is understood that the planning and preparation have nonetheless gone well and that ticket sales are already pointing towards a most successful ever edition of the tournament next year.
In 2015, six months before the start of the Rugby World Cup in England, Debbie Jevans stepped down from the role and focused instead on her relationships and non-executive positions in football and tennis.
It can only be hoped that this latest change at the top comes at a time when enough of the work has been done to avoid an impact of the tournament itself.