Patrick Lefevere has avoided a fine of 20,000 Swiss francs (20,800 euros) by apologizing at the last minute for some misogynistic statements.
In mid-March, the Ethics Committee of the international cycling association UCI reprimanded the CEO of Soudal-Quick Step. By “disparaging statements towards women” he committed two violations of articles 5 and 6.1 of the ethical code.
Lefevere received an additional fine. He was able to avoid that through a public apology. He waited until this week with a statement on the website of his cycling team. This had been online since Wednesday evening, but only now became known.
“With this statement I want to make it clear that I accept the decision of the UCI Ethics Committee,” Lefevere said in the statement.
“I recognize that the statements I made may be experienced or interpreted in a hurtful way. It was never my intention to offend anyone and therefore I apologize.”
I would like to expressly apologize to the UCI, the UCI Ethics Committee and all persons or parties involved who have experienced these statements in a hurtful way.
Patrick Lefevere
In its statement in mid-March, the UCI did not indicate which statements were involved, but Lefevere himself provided a hint: “The committee refers to 2 statements that I made: one in an article dated July 3, 2021 in Het Nieuwsblad and one in a TV interview dated March 8, 2023 in De Afspraak,” says the Belgian team manager.
“I would like to expressly apologize to the UCI, the UCI Ethics Committee and all persons or parties involved who experienced these statements in a hurtful way.”
“The way our teams work should also be proof that it was never my intention to offend or harm anyone: today our cycling teams consist of 74 riders and 106 full-time employees, both men and women, who work together in a diverse and inclusive working environment without distinction based on origin, gender or background. We will continue to work in this way.”
Related:
2024-04-13 18:15:29
#Patrick #Lefevere #apologizes #misogynistic #statements #intended #offend
