The lawyer of one of the journalists in question considers that the reason for the dismissal of his client relates to a "general context, whereas no fact directly attributable to him can be reproached to him". Alain Vernon says he is "stunned" by his dismissal and denounces "a witch hunt and men". 

Pierre-Etienne Léonard, one of the three journalists from the sports department of France Televisions dismissed for harassment, will challenge his ouster before the industrial tribunal, we learned from his lawyer on Friday. "The reason for dismissal is completely unfounded," said Mathilde Derudet's advice in a press release. His client intends to argue before this body "the total absence of the slightest behavior or the slightest discriminatory words by providing numerous testimonies", adds the lawyer, member of the cabinet founded by the former Secretary of State for Sports Thierry Braillard .

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"#MeToo killed me"

The lawyer considers that the reason for the dismissal of her client relates to a "general context, while no fact directly attributable to him can be blamed". In addition to Pierre-Etienne Léonard, Jean-François Laville, editor in charge of the coordination of magazines and Alain Vernon, figure of Stage 2, were punished after an internal investigation which revealed facts of harassment and sexist comments.

The latter announced Friday in the columns of the Parisian  his intention to also attack the public audiovisual group. Alain Vernon says he is "stunned" by his dismissal, like that of two other colleagues. He denounces "a witch and men hunt, led by blind feminism [...] You cannot dismiss people blindly without checking. #MeToo killed me".

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The internal investigation which led to the dismissal of Alain Vernon, Pierre-Etienne Léonard and Jean-François Laville was opened in April after the publication in the daily L'Équipe of the testimony of Clémentine Sarlat, former co-presenter of Stade 2 , now converted into the podcast after having also worked at TF1.