Shane Sutton to appeal against British Cycling ruling over Jess Varnish sexism row

Appeal: Shane Sutton
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Matt McGeehan4 November 2016

Shane Sutton is to appeal after British Cycling found the former technical director used "inappropriate and discriminatory language" towards Jess Varnish.

The 59-year-old resigned as British Cycling technical director in April, 100 days prior to the Rio Olympics, amid allegations of discrimination which he continues to deny.

An internal investigation, led by non-executive board member Alex Russell, concluded last week and upheld Varnish's complaint against Sutton, effectively ending his hopes of a return to the national governing body.

The findings will be fed into an ongoing independent review into the culture of British Cycling's world class performance programme.

Sutton, who spoke to Russell "on a couple of occasions", is determined to prove his innocence over claims from Varnish that he told her to "go and have a baby".

Sutton, speaking at the Rouleur Classic cycling exhibition in London, told Press Association Sport: "I can categorically state I never made those comments I was originally alleged to have made.

"I'm pretty sure people will be sitting back going 'well, he's going to appeal' - which is going to happen now.

"I will take it from there. I will produce the evidence.

"Everything comes out in the dirty washing. I am quite sure the evidence this time will prevail and I will win."

Sutton's wife Abbie sent a provocative tweet in the moments after the verdict of the internal investigation was made public, suggesting Varnish was a liar.

"My wife's opinion is her opinion. That's not necessarily my opinion, but it's her opinion," Sutton added.

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