FIA president Mosley wins vote of confidence
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Tuesday, 03, Jun 2008 08:01
Max Mosley has won a vote of confidence at the FIA's extraordinary general assembly in France today, meaning he will stay on as president.
The 68-year-old faced the vote knowing his position would be under threat, although he has stated previously he intends to stay on until the scheduled end of this tenure in October next year.
The vote of confidence was achieved by a majority of nearly 50 votes, with 103 delegates voting in favour of backing Mosley, 55 voting against the motion and seven abstentions. Four votes were reported invalid.
It suggests the FIA president has been given licence to remain in his position with the motorsport governing body.
But he is likely to continue facing calls to quit after coming in for criticism from as many as 24 motoring organisations across 22 countries last week and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
In an open letter from motorsport representatives across the globe, Mosley was called on to resign "immediately" as a result of the scandal earlier this year involving an alleged "Nazi-style" orgy uncovered by the News of the World newspaper.
The letter was signed by representatives from America (AAA and AATA), Singapore (AAS), Germany (ADAC), Finland (AL), Canada (CAA), Brazil (CCB), Denmark (FDM), France (FFA), India (FIAA), Japan (JAF), the Netherlands (KNAC), Sweden (M), Hungary (MAK), Israel (MEMSI), Austria (OEMTC), Spain (RACC and RACE), Belgium (TCB) and Switzerland (TCS).
A section of that correspondence read: "We strongly believe that the only respectable way forward for the FIA, and for yourself, is to have an orderly transition, with an immediate agreement and your commitment to step down.
"The FIA is in a critical situation. Its image, reputation and credibility are being severely eroded.
"Every additional day that this situation persists, the damage increases. There is no way back."
Mosley earlier rejected a compromise deal offered to him in exchange for a guaranteed vote of confidence at the June 3rd meeting.
It was proposed by the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism that the FIA president step down in November 2008 - 11 months before his term officially ends - but Mosley rejected the offer.
And this snub has apparently angered the motoring clubs that have collaborated on the letter.
The 24 organisations said they "deeply regret" his refusal to accept the compromise, saying it was "a constructive effort to facilitate an orderly transition within the FIA and to find a solution to the present crisis".
"Instead, your intention to remain until the end of your term in 2009, in spite of the severe damage being inflicted to the FIA, could imply putting personal considerations before the interests of the FIA and its member clubs," the letter added.
Despite the vote of confidence today, Mosley's ability to perform all the functions necessary for his job as FIA president appears to have been compromised already.
He has faced snubs from royalty in Spain and Monaco in recent weeks while attending grand prix in the two countries, which led to further calls for him to stand down.