A difficult international break has taken a more serious turn at Troyes, where the club has opened an internal investigation concerning sporting director Jocelyn Blanchard after complaints from female employees about his conduct. The matter is being handled under the safeguarding procedures used across the City Football Group.
Internal process under way at Troyes
- Complaints were lodged within the club concerning Blanchard’s behaviour towards female staff members. The number of complainants has not been established publicly.
- Troyes activated its internal safeguarding framework, designed to protect minors and vulnerable people and to provide channels for reporting inappropriate conduct.
- Elisa Sicking-Bressler, City Football Group’s safeguarding lead, travelled from England to deal with the case. She has already conducted several interviews and is expected to remain in Troyes for several more days as further meetings are held.
- Blanchard was present at the club on Thursday. Some employees had not previously been aware of the situation, while players began discussing it after learning of it through media reports and social networks.
- No official statement has been issued by the club or by the parties involved. Troyes, with the backing of City Football Group, has nevertheless begun what is described as a detailed and rigorous procedure.
Reporting mechanisms are already available to staff and supporters at ESTAC, including QR codes placed around the training centre and stadium, as well as an anonymous “I report” section on the club website.
Potential consequences for Blanchard
The outcome of the internal inquiry could affect Blanchard’s future with the Ligue 1 club. For now, he was still expected to travel with the team for Friday’s friendly at Dijon, scheduled for 18:00 at Stade Gaston-Gérard.
Stéphane Dumont’s side will face the ninth-placed Ligue 2 team in their only match during the international break. On the pitch, Troyes also have urgent concerns: three successive Ligue 1 defeats have left them 16th, in the relegation play-off position, with Marseille due to visit in ten days.
