British cycling star Matthew Richardson has been accused of developing a “God complex” after being withdrawn from the Great Britain team amid allegations that he used racist and discriminatory language.
Richardson, 27, was sent home from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships on Monday while an investigation into his conduct continues. His 23-year-old girlfriend, Emma Finucane, remains in Shanghai and secured victory in qualifying for the women’s team sprint on Wednesday morning.
According to The Times, Richardson has been accused of using racist and discriminatory language towards others, including the n-word. The newspaper also reported that riders within the World Class Programme had described him as “arrogant” and said he displayed a “God complex”.
“At the velodrome he’s the golden boy,” riders were quoted as saying. “Matty is one of their best chances of a gold medal in LA and he knows it.”
British Cycling is understood to have opened an investigation after receiving a formal complaint.
The Olympic medallist addressed the situation on Instagram on Tuesday, saying he was “deeply disappointed” and would co-operate fully with Team GB. Richardson joined the British programme after previously representing Australia.
Matthew Richardson (right) is absent from the World Championships while the misconduct investigation continues, but his girlfriend Emma Finucane (left) remains in competition
He wrote: “I understand the seriousness of what has been raised in recent reports about my withdrawal from the 2026 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
“British Cycling has said it looks into matters like this through its established procedures. I will co-operate fully with its processes. I assure everyone that I will do so properly and appropriately, with contrition for the feelings of anyone who might be affected.
“Out of fairness to everyone involved, and on advice, like British Cycling, I will not be commenting further until any process is complete. I am deeply disappointed to miss the World Championships, and I wish the Great Britain team and every rider competing the very best.”
Richardson’s withdrawal has sent shockwaves through the cycling world. Meanwhile, Finucane’s parents arrived in Shanghai on Monday ahead of the championships.
Her 21-year-old brother Sean told the Daily Mail that the family had reacted with “shock and surprise” to the allegations.
He said: “We are all pretty shocked and surprised – he’s a lovely guy. He’s been here a lot and never shown any signs of that sort of behaviour. My parents flew out to Shanghai yesterday – none of us knew.”
Finucane, who won four gold medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, is scheduled to compete in the individual sprint, team sprint and keirin during her time in China.
In a statement sent to Daily Mail Sport, a British Cycling spokesman said: “British Cycling can confirm that Matt Richardson has been withdrawn from the Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the upcoming 2026 Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai, China.”
Richardson has been described by fellow riders as “arrogant” and as having a “God complex”
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Richardson’s partner is fellow British cyclist Emma Finucane, whose parents travelled to China as the allegations surrounding him emerged
When contacted by Daily Mail Sport about the misconduct allegations believed to have led to Richardson’s withdrawal, British Cycling said it would not comment further at this stage.
Richardson and Finucane live together in Manchester and have been in a relationship since February 2024, having “known each other for a long time” beforehand.
Richardson had been expected to form part of the four-man men’s sprint squad at the World Championships.
He had been due to join Harry Ledingham-Horn, Ed Lowe and Joe Truman in the squad.
Richardson had claimed three medals at the European Championships in Konya, Turkey, earlier this year.
The 27-year-old won gold in both the men’s sprint and keirin events, as well as claiming silver in the team sprint with Truman and Hamish Turnbull.
Richardson had been due to make his comeback after he was injured during the Keirin World Series in July.
Richardson is pictured with Finucane – the couple live together in Manchester
Last week, Richardson said he is ‘lucky’ to be walking after being wiped out by a rival in an incident, which ruled him out of the Commonwealth Games three months ago.
Richardson had been slammed off the track by Japanese cyclist Kento Suzuki while competing in the event in July, leaving the velodrome in an ambulance.
The sprinter said he has not received an apology from Suzuki over the incident.
He was favourite to win gold in Glasgow but never got to take part after the horrifying crash. He was unable to walk for four days after coming away with a broken scapula and a heavily bruised hip.
Richardson had been hoping to defend the title he won when competing for Australia in 2022, before he switched nationality to represent Britain, which he claimed was like ‘Hogwarts’ compared to ‘High School’.
The defector, who was born in the English town of Maidstone but moved to Perth at nine and went on to carve out a brilliant track career for Australia, caused a sensation by switching allegiance straight after winning two silvers and a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He received a life ban from competing for Australia.