Olympic champion cyclist Chris Hoy found himself yet again on the receiving end of Twitter abuse directed at soccer referee Chris Foy as angry Chelsea fans vented their frustration on social media.

The Premier League leader's 1-0 loss at Aston Villa on Saturday saw Foy send off Blues duo Wilian and Ramires, as well as banish Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to the stands.

BBC presenter Dan Walker wrote on Twitter on Saturday: "Poor old chrishoy could be in for it tonight FoynotHoy."

Hoy, at the Revolution Series event at the London Velodrome on Saturday, responded: "They are coming thick and fast - with an emphasis on the 'thick'."

It is not the first time Hoy has been on the receiving end of abuse from Chelsea fans intended for Foy, with similar incidents arising following the west London club's FA Cup semifinal defeat by Manchester City at Wembley last year.

And in 2011 it was Tottenham fans, angered by its loss to Stoke when Foy was the referee, who misdirected their abuse to the Scottish cycling great.

That promoted Hoy to respond at the time: "Just for the record 1) I don't need glasses and 2) I do not lead a double life as an English premier league ref. That's Chris Foy.

"Still getting some rather amusing grief from Spurs fans! On the plus side, I've learned some new 4 letter words today. FoyNotHoy."

(China Daily 03/19/2014 page23)