Australia is considering whether three-time Olympic medalist Matthew Richardson can be banned from international cycling for two years following his surprise move to Great Britain.

Richardson surprised AusCycling with his decision to compete for Great Britain, announcing his move just days after winning three medals for Australia at the Paris Olympics.

Richardson took part in the race in Paris, but kept his decision to switch sides secret from the Australian leadership.

“There is disappointment with the decision and the process and the fact that we do not know anything about Matt’s circumstances,” Jesse Korf, AusCycling’s executive general manager of performance, said on Tuesday.

Korf said they were examining whether a two-year non-compete clause could be applied to Richardson.

“He will definitely not compete in the upcoming World Championships (in October),” Korf said.

“But the duration of the ban on competition and the clauses are currently being examined together with the UCI and the ASC (Australian Sports Commission).”

Korf said it was “too early to say” whether AusCycling would seek to enforce a two-year non-compete clause.

“This is something we would have to discuss internally because we obviously have a big say in this and need to review it,” he said.

“That is why the AIS/ASC is a major stakeholder as it provides a large proportion of the funding.

“So there would need to be a conversation to come to a mutual decision before we can communicate it and start a conversation with the UCI and Matt and British Cycling.”

Richardson was born in Maidstone, England, and moved to Australia at the age of nine, citing his long-held dream of racing for his native country as the reason for his move.

“He said he was following a childhood dream,” Korf said.

British Cycling, whose budget is three times that of AusCycling, told Korf that it had made “no proactive approach” to lure Richardson away.

Instead, the 25-year-old secretly contacted the British.

“There should have been discussions (with British Cycling) before Matt submitted his case to the UCI, which was completed at least three months ago,” Korf said.

“It is very likely that there were discussions between February and April. However, I do not know what kind of discussions they were.”

Richardson was Australia’s most successful cyclist at the Paris Olympics, winning silver medals in the men’s keirin and sprint, as well as a bronze medal in the men’s team sprint.

In interviews with British media, Richardson said that possible consequences for the Olympic selection were one reason for keeping his secret from Australia.

When asked if there were possible consequences, Korf said: “That’s a really difficult question… I don’t know.”

“We would certainly have considered the impact and consequences as well as the opportunities for other drivers,” he said.

“At the same time, Matt showed extraordinary development and performed exceptionally well in the Games.

“So, yes, all things would have been taken into account. I don’t know if there would have been any consequences.

“That may or may not be the case, and the reasons may be on our side or on the side of the AOC (Australian Olympic Committee).”