Embattled McQuaid blasts ‘scandalous report’ on his Swiss nomination

Pat McQuaid has branded reports that the Swiss Cycling Federation had revoked their nomination of him for the UCI Presidency next month as “complete bullshit”.

McQuaid, who is seeking a third term in office at next month’s election in Florence, blasted those behind whoever put the story out and said he nor the UCI had any contact from Swiss Cycling.

“I nor UCI have been informed about any decision of Swiss Cycling,” said McQuaid.

“I’ve not heard that, and it’s not correct. The case is on Thursday, and I’ll be in Zurich on that day with all the documentation,” he added.

The case the Irishman was referring to was the one regarding his controversial nominations from the Federations of Thailand and Morocco, nominations that have been slammed by many of his opponents, but have, as of yesterday, been proven to be legitimate.

McQuaid hit out at Australian businessman Jamie Fuller who he believed was behind yesterday’s rumours. Fuller who is part of the Change Cycling Now Group has been one of McQuaid’s most outspoken critics but the latter seemed unconcerned by the fuss.

“[Jamie] Fuller has arrived in Dublin today. And was seemingly on this Newstalk. As far as I’m concerned it’s complete bullshit,” McQuaid said.

“I know there’s a hearing on Thursday. I’ve had communication from the Swiss federation and it’s going ahead. It’s [a] scandalous report from someone and Newstalk has picked up on it. It’s all the usual culprits and they’re talking about it on Twitter. Fuller is behind it — the President of Swiss Cycling is not aware — has not been involved — this has been done by some Board members.”

Tomorrow, a tribunal will hear a case regarding the nomination of McQuaid by the Swiss Cycling Federation for his third term as the UCI President.

Regarding that hearing, it had been reported yesterday that the Swiss Federation had sent the following message to the tribunal members reversing its nomination and say it wanted to forgo the hearing: “After having carefully considered the arguments of the claimants in the arbitration brought against Swiss Cycling’s Decision of 13 May 2013 to nominate Mr Pat McQuaid for UCI Presidential election, a majority of the Board’s member decided, in light of the legal issues regarding the validity of said Decision and of the general interest of Swiss Cycling, to (i) revoke the Decision of 13 May 2013 and (ii) to withdraw Swiss Cycling’s nomination of Mr Pat McQuaid for (re)election as UCI President. Swiss Cycling’s head of administration.”

McQuaid, however, dismissed those claiming “I nor UCI have been informed about any decision of Swiss Cycling.” The Irishman has already been overlooked for a nomination from his home federation.