30-04-2007 More French hypocrisy

Following the ban from one-day classics in Belgium, the cycling team sponsored by Unibet now faces exclusion from the Tour de France. The Financial Times reports a letter from EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy to the International Cycling Union saying "the consistency of the French approach is highly questionable, given that other teams sponsored by gaming operators in France, such as the Française des jeux, are permitted to participate and given that the main sponsor of the event is in fact a gaming operator, the PMU."

While French laws forbid foreign betting companies from advertising in France, this year's Tour de France runs also through the UK and Belgium.

"It's unacceptable that the French state is trying to extend its cosy arrangement to other countries," added McCreevy.