Governing body and McQuaid still weighing up federations’ request for CAS hearing
With 23 days left before the presidential election, the UCI has confirmed to VeloNation that no additional candidates have come forward for the position.
Although there was an initial closing date of June 29th, a controversial Malaysian proposal to modify Article 51 of the constitution would, if passed at Congress, retrospectively allow that closing date to be changed.
Under the proposal, additional candidates could have been nominated up to Friday August 30th.
However according to UCI spokesman Louis Chenaille, this aspect of the Malaysian amendment won’t be relevant. “There are no further candidates for presidential election despite the additional time,” he stated today.
It means that current UCI president Pat McQuaid and management committee member Brian Cookson are the sole individuals in contention for the slot.
UCI still weighing up request for CAS deliberation:
Meanwhile Chenaille has said that McQuaid and the UCI are “still considering all possibilities” in relation to a request made on Monday by five federations, namely USA Cycling, the Russian Cycling Federation, the Finnish Cycling Union, the Federation Algerienne de Cyclisme and Cycling Canada.
These have written to the UCI president pointing out the uncertainty that exists over his interpretation of Article 51.1.
After losing the Irish and Swiss nominations, he is insisting that Article 51.1, which states that “the candidates for the presidency shall be nominated by the federation of the candidate,” does not refer to the home federation of the candidate, as has previously been interpreted as being the case.
Instead, McQuaid argues that any federation of which the candidate is a member can nominate them for election.
He said at the end of July that he is a member of ‘six or seven’ federations and that two of those, Morocco and Thailand, had nominated him before the end of June.
If his interpretation is right, both candidates will be able to go forward for the September 27th election.
However if he is incorrect in his claims, he is not currently eligible to stand for re-election.
The five federations who wrote to the UCI have pointed out the uncertainty and have claimed that it is damaging the credibility of the governing body and of the election itself.
They have asked the Irishman to agree to allow the Court of Arbitration for Sport to examine the situation via an expedited hearing and to rule on the matter. They stated that if he refused to the request, that they would consider legal action.
When asked as to what stage things were at, Chenaille said that the governing body was still weighing up the request and would communicate its decision in due time.
CAS states prompt action is necessary:
However it is important to move quickly; earlier today CAS told VeloNation that providing both parties agreed to an expedited hearing, that there would be sufficient time to reach a conclusion prior to the September 27th election.
“CAS can reach a resolution, but the parties should bring their case as soon as possible,” CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb said. “In the event the time is too short to have a hearing in Lausanne, we can also organize it in another city, nearer to the Congress place, if it is easier for the parties.”
If CAS rules against McQuaid, his sole remaining opportunity for re-election would lie with the Malaysian proposal being passed.
In addition to shifting the nomination dates to August 30th, it would also allow for any two national federations to nominate presidential candidates.
However the Malaysian proposal would need a two thirds majority to become part of the UCI Constitution, a very difficult figure to achieve.