The Unibet cycling team, of late, the sport's hard-luck pariah, has spoken out on its Tour de France ban, calling the situation a "scandal."
Race coordinator Christian Prudhomme said his decision was made in accordance with French law, which prohibits non-domestic gambling firms from advertising in the country.
The team, which re-branded as Green Cycle Associates AB, was awarded a four-year Pro Tour license in 2006, giving it entry to major cycling events.
Green Cycle Associates was allowed to compete in a race in Marseille, France, in February. However, Inga Lungberg, spokeswoman for Unibet, said Tour de France organizers insisted that the team--no matter how it branded itself--would not be able to compete in the race.
"This whole situation is a scandal," Lundberg told BBC.
"By denying the riders the chance to compete in the highlight of the cycling calendar, the organizers are damaging careers," added team director Jacque Hangraaf.
EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has written the Amaury Sport Organization, the Tour's organizer, challenging its decision to ban Unibet from competition.
In a separate letter to Unibet, cited May 4 by the Times, McCreevy wrote: "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. Given that the main sponsor of the event is in fact a gaming operator, Pari Mutuel Urbain, all this is in breach of internal market rules."