Formula One: Clubs urge Mosley to quit

Thursday May 29, 2008
LONDON- A number of the world's leading automobile clubs have joined forces in one last desperate attempt to force disgraced FIA president Max Mosley out of office.

Mosley's refusal to resign, or even accept a compromise agreement, in the wake of lurid allegations about his private life has amazed senior figures within the motoring organisations.

That has resulted in a letter being sent to Mosley imploring him to step down ahead of next Tuesday's confidence vote in Paris to spare the governing body further embarrassment and damage.

A section of the letter reads: "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."

The letter is signed by representatives from America (AAA and AATA), Austria (OEMTC), Belgium (TCB), Brazil (CCB), Canada (CAA), Denmark (FDM), Finland, (AL), France (FFA), Germany (ADAC), Hungary (MAK), India (FIAA), Israel (MEMSI), Japan (JAF), Singapore (AAS), Spain (RACC and RACE), Sweden (M), Switzerland (TCS) and the Netherlands (KNAC).

The clubs have also expressed their anger at Mosley for refusing the offer of a compromise deal to step down in November in exchange for a guaranteed victory in next week's vote.

The suggestion was proposed by the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism (WCAMT), a senior body of the FIA.

The letter added: "We deeply regret your refusal to accept the proposal by the members of WCAMT to reach an agreement for you to step down at the General Assembly in the coming month of November.

"This is 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."

To further undermine Mosley, the clubs do not accept his assertion the FIA is at war with commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone with regard to the future of Formula One.

Mosley put forward the claim, amongst others, as to why he should continue, only for Ecclestone to issue a rebuttal, and pointedly state the FIA should be led by "a respected president".

In siding with Ecclestone, the letter further adds: "We take note of the letter sent by B. Ecclestone to all member clubs, stating his support for the FIA as the sole body governing international motor sport and his willingness to continue working with the FIA, irrespective of the result of the Extraordinary General Assembly on June 3.

"We believe that his explanations put in due perspective the state of the relationship between the FIA and the Formula One world, taking away relevance to many of the arguments you make in your letter to justify your continuity.

"We take note of his point on the importance that the FIA be led by a credible and respected president."

It was expected Mosley would win the day next week, however, this latest damaging letter endorsed by so many leading organisations could convince others to now go against him, and make the vote closer than previously anticipated.

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