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2023 Rugby World Cup organisers sack CEO Claude Atcher over management climate

Claude Atcher has been dismissed from the 2023 rugby World Cup organising committee. Aurelien Meunier - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Claude Atcher, the chief executive officer of the 2023 rugby World Cup in France, has been sacked after a report by the French Labour Inspectorate found that he oversaw an "extremely degraded social environment" at the organising committee.

"Taking note of the report's conclusions, France 2023's board has decided to terminate the contract of CEO Claude Atcher," France 2023 said in a statement on Tuesday.

Atcher was suspended in August after allegations over his management, which according to a report by sports daily L'Equipe left employees suffering panic attacks and burn out.

"The report brought forward by the French Labour Inspectorate corroborates and complements the report produced by the France 2023 Ethics Committee," France 2023 said.

Julien Collette, Atcher's former deputy general director, has been appointed as CEO.