Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) issued a statement explaining that an internal investigation revealed several shortcomings in the organization of official visits and tours starting September 5th. These deficiencies led to the exclusion of female employees on the day of the visit, which was deemed unacceptable.
This exclusion caused outrage among staff and resulted in the closure of the Parisian monument for one day. The management's acceptance of this requirement from an Indian religious group provoked a strong wave of indignation, accusations of gender discrimination, and violations of the principles of the French Republic.
Under pressure from workers' trade unions and negative media coverage, it became impossible for Patrick Branco Ruivo, who is of Portuguese descent, to continue leading the company.