AIGLE, Switzerland — Cycling's governing body sued Dick Pound over critical comments by the former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The International Cycling Union and former president Hein Verbruggen lodged a complaint in a Swiss court regarding Pound's "continual injurious and biased comments." The dispute centers on Pound's criticism of UCI and Verbruggen in combating doping in cycling.

Pound stepped down this year after heading WADA for eight years. He has regularly clashed with Verbruggen and the UCI over the doping scandals that have rocked the sport.

In explaining its action, the UCI said Pound has "publicly questioned the extent of the UCI's efforts in the fight against doping."

Pound did not immediately respond Friday to a message left by The Associated Press. The Canadian is currently running for the presidency of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, which has settled a number of high-profile doping cases in cycling.