Hooliganism Must Stop - Cookson

Last updated : 30 July 2015 By Covsupport News Service

Brian Cookson, the President of the cycling governing body UCI has said that the "hooliganism" which was noticeable during the Tour De France must stop.

Chris Froome, the 2015 race winner, was spat on and had a cup of urine thrown over him, whilst his Team Sky team mate Richie Porte reported being punched during Stage Ten.

Cookson, speaking at the International Olympic Committee meetings in Kuala Lumpur this week, said to the AFP News Agency: “I am worried about the beginnings of an element of hooliganism coming towards our sport which we have largely been able to avoid in recent years.

“I think Chris was subjected to a fairly nasty form of antagonism from a small number of people. 

“But there was also a little bit of slightly joking, slightly hooligan-type behaviour in places with cars being kicked, things being thrown at cars.”

“The Tour, all of cycle racing is a great free sport. It is possible to get close to the athletes, to the competitors, in a way that is not really possible in any other sport. If we want that to continue then we all have a responsibility to behave.”