Mosley critics swell in numbers

Motoring authorities in Canada and New Zealand have become the latest organisations to denounce beleaguered FIA president Max Mosley.

Despite Mosley’s assertion he has widespread support following lurid allegations regarding his private life, no-one has so far come forward.

Instead, there is growing opposition towards Mosley, and at this stage it appears inconceivable he can win a vote of confidence via a secret ballot of the FIA General Assembly to take place in Paris on June 3.

Last week the associations representing America, Germany, Holland, Israel and Austria either called on Mosley to resign, or asked him to consider his position.

Now the Canadian Automobile Association has demanded Mosley step down from office, as confirmed by Leanne Maidment, their director of communications.

Maidment said: “The recent events involving the leadership of the FIA have been distressing and it is CAA’s position that the best resolution to this situation would be for Mr Mosley to step down.

“CAA’s relationship with the FIA has been one we value tremendously, but we are extremely disturbed by recent media reports and the implications that this may have on CAA and other FIA members.

“Accordingly, CAA’s President, Tim Shearman, sent a letter dated Friday, April 4th, to the FIA formally asking for Mr Mosley’s resignation.

“We hope that after careful consideration, he will do so.”

In New Zealand, their Automobile Association had booked Mosley to deliver a keynote speech in June at an Automobile, Transport and Environment Summit organised to mark World Environment Day.

However, the NZAA have withdrawn the invitation, with spokesman Greg Hunting informing Radio New Zealand: “I wrote to him late last week suggesting it might not be possible (to attend) under the circumstances.

“On the same day I received a note from him saying he regretted not being able to attend.”

Despite the various calls for him to quit from a post he has held since 1993, Mosley has so far belligerently refused to do what many perceive as his honourable duty.

Instead, Mosley is prepared to brazenly fight on for the next two months, a timeframe that has already led to criticism from three- times former Formula One world champion Sir Jackie Stewart.

“For the reputation of the sport, it’s too far away, unrealistic,” Stewart told PA Sport.

“It means until it happens there will be destabilising influences with regard to the reputation of the FIA and associated bodies.

“That includes not only Formula One, but all the motoring clubs and organisations.

“When you hear the Americans, Germans, Dutch, Israelis, along with BMW, Mercedes, Honda and Toyota, having their say, it is difficult for me to see how the reputation of the FIA is being upheld.

“Instead of him standing down to respect the reputation of the various entities, he has decided to go to his own family and ask for forgiveness, which in itself is unusual.

“He is being very blind to the realism of the act in which he was involved.”

The forthcoming eight weeks would appear to afford Mosley the time in which to convince the 222 national motoring organisations in 130 countries that comprise the General Assembly.