PARIS: Russian cycling team Katusha, bitter over their exclusion from the WorldTour list of teams which gives them automatic entry to the major Tours next year, announced on Saturday they would take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Russian outfit, who enjoyed a successful season largely thanks to veteran Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez who finished the year top of the World Tour rankings, were left fuming over their exclusion from the final list of 18 teams that was announced by the International Cycling Union (UCI) last Monday.
“Russian team Katusha has filed a lawsuit to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne (CAS) aiming to dispute the decision of the UCI License Commission, who rejected the 2013 World Tour license request of Katusha Team on December, 10, 2012,” said the team in a statement.
“Applying to the CAS became a direct consequence of the policy of isolation, pursued by the UCI License Commission, and was made in strict accordance with all law regulations.” The team, which is managed by Russian Viatcheslav Ekimov a former teammate of the disgraced rider Lance Armstrong, had expressed its total surprise on Tuesday in reacting to the news and blasted the UCI for “a complete violation of ethical sporting principles.”
As a result of the UCI’s cold shoulder Katusha must now rely on invitations from organizers to take part in next season’s major races like the Tours of France, Italy and Spain.
Last month the Association of Race Organizers warned it would only consider handing out invitations to teams which, unlike Katusha, had signed up to the anti-doping charter — the Movement for Credible Cycling.
Aside from sporting performance, the UCI’s Licenses Commission also takes ethical and financial criteria into account.
“Purito” Rodriguez, 33, claimed victory in the Fleche Wallonne classic as well as the Tour of Lombardy this year.
The Spaniard also finished second in the Tour of Italy and third in the Tour of Spain.
Katusha to take exclusion by UCI to CAS
Katusha to take exclusion by UCI to CAS
Saudi Pro League warns Al-Nassr’s Ronaldo no player is bigger than club
- Ronaldo did not take part in the club’s SPL win at Al-Riyadh on Monday and is now set to miss Friday night’s clash against Al-Ittihad
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League has warned Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo that “no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club” amid doubts over his future at Al–Nassr.
Ronaldo, reportedly unhappy at the club’s lack of transfer activity, did not take part in the club’s Saud Pro League win at Al-Riyadh on Monday and is now set to miss Friday night’s clash against Al-Ittihad.
In a statement issued to BBC Sport, a Saudi Pro League spokesperson said: “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.
“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.”
The 40-year Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh on Monday amid reports he is on strike over the club’s lack of transfer activity.
Portuguese media outlet A Bola reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was unhappy that Al-Nassr, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has not strengthened its squad as it challenges for the league title.
“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al–Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition,” the Saudi Pro League spokesperson said.
“Like any elite competitor, he wants to win.
“But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.
“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.”
The Saudi Pro League spokesperson added: “The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.
“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”
