The club confirmed Friday night that sporting director Jocelyn Blanchard is leaving immediately. He had already been the focus of an internal probe after several complaints about his conduct toward female staff, and prosecutors have now opened a formal investigation. Could this signal a deeper cultural shift?
Blanchard’s tenure at Troyes ends abruptly, the statement added. The organization pledged to maintain its sporting project and will soon start hunting for a new director. Appointed this summer, the former midfielder was under scrutiny by City Football Group following reports of sexist remarks and inappropriate gestures toward colleagues. In my view, the swift dismissal was necessary.
Internal unrest. Will this spark a broader overhaul of hiring and conduct policies at the club?
Reporter Romain Molina disclosed that several women at the newly promoted Ligue 1 club complained about Blanchard’s sexist comments and inappropriate gestures, creating discomfort inside the organization and prompting the relocation of Elisa Sicking‑Bressler, who oversees protection of minors and vulnerable persons for CFG, to the Aube region.
The September 30 inquiry now faces additional legal scrutiny, according to L’Est Éclair on Friday. Regional daily and France 3 Grand Est reported that prosecutor Isabelle Verissimo has launched a case against the 54‑year‑old Troyes official for sexist behavior, with the local police leading the probe. The club likely saw this as the last straw and terminated his contract. Blanchard is presumed innocent pending trial.