PRESS RELEASE
LEGAL ACTION HAS BEEN NOW FILED TO STOP THE SWISS ENDORSEMENT OF THE UCI PRESIDENT
11 June 2013
A legal claim has now been filed requesting an arbitration proceeding to challenge the Swiss Cycling Federation endorsement of Pat McQuaid to seek re-election, as President of the UCI. Mr Kurt Buergi has informed SKINS that Mr Mattia Galli, a former member of the Swiss Cycling Board, and Mr. Patrick Calcagni, a former professional rider, will join with him as co-claimants in the action.
In the arbitration papers, Mr Buergi has appointed an arbitrator and according to the Swiss Cycling Arbitration Rules, Swiss Cycling will now have to appoint an arbitrator, with the two arbitrators jointly appointing a President of the arbitration. Once constituted, the arbitral tribunal will receive written submissions and conduct a hearing of the claims made. Mr. Buergi has indicated that all of the Swiss Cycling Board members and Pat McQuaid have been named as witnesses for the hearing in an attempt to clarify the authenticity of the endorsement and what reasons were communicated by the Board to decide to present Mr. McQuaid as its candidate for the position of President of the UCI.
SKINS Chairman, Jaimie Fuller, said “It is time for Pat McQuaid and Richard Chassot to be accountable in a legal proceeding for their actions and dealings. The witnesses will be interrogated and required to tell the truth. Each will be made aware that under Swiss law there are severe criminal sanctions for providing false testimony.”
Mr. Buergi claims that the endorsement of Mr McQuaid by Swiss Cycling was irregular for two main reasons. Firstly, that Mr McQuaid cannot be a member of two National Federations for the purposes of seeking the endorsement of both organisations and secondly, that Swiss Cycling did not properly act as a Board to support the endorsement. Further, it is likely that Mr. Buergi will submit that Swiss Cycling’s purported decision to present Mr. McQuaid is invalid both formally and substantially, in light of the obvious conflict of interests existing between Mr. McQuaid and members of the Swiss Cycling Board including the relationship between Mr. McQuaid, Mr. Chassot and the Tour de Romandie.
Mr Kurt Buergi said, “The arbitration will seek the truth in this matter. Once the arbitration is in motion, the procedure is confidential but I am hoping that a decision will be handed down before the UCI Congress in September. If the decision is not finalised prior to the Congress and Pat McQuaid is elected as President for a further 4 year term, that Presidency will be under serious doubt and will have to be annulled when we are successful in the action.”
– ENDS –
About SKINS
In Australia in 1996 SKINS embarked on a massive challenge to create a sports garment that aided recovery and improved performance. SKINS invested heavily in research to make it happen and are now Australia’s leading compression brand.
SKINS have achieved rapid growth in other markets including Japan, the USA and the UK and now have their sights set on Europe and other international markets. The company relocated its international headquarters from Australia to Steinhausen in Switzerland on 1st February 2009.
SKINS continues to make their number one focus research and development in order to improve, rigorously test and expand the range of products. The performance benefits of SKINS are supported by numerous independent studies published in peer reviewed medical journals. SKINS are the only compression garments recommended and endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
For detailed information about SKINS products, check out: skins.net
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