Mosley calm after withdrawal of invite

Under-pressure FIA president Max Mosley understands the reasoning as to why an offer to visit Israel was withdrawn.

Mosley had received an official invite from the Israeli Minister of Science, Culture and Sport, Galeb Majadle, to discuss the future of motor sport in the country.

However, Majadle, who extended the offer to Mosley this week after they met at the inaugural World Rally Championship in Jordan, was unaware of the scandal surrounding the 68-year-old.

That led to the ministry issuing a statement that read: “Once the scandal was brought to the minister’s attention, he has requested to withdraw immediately any official invitation to Mosley until the matter is reviewed more thoroughly once back in Israel.”

The words ’withdraw immediately’ were highlighted in the original text, adding fuel to the fire surrounding Mosley, who has hit the headlines following revelations into his private life published by the News of the World.

In response, world governing body, the FIA, issued a statement, with Mosley fully appreciating the position taken by Majadle.

It read: “The FIA is grateful to Galeb Majadle for extending an invitation to visit Israel.

“The FIA is delighted with the recent legalisation of motor sport in the country and intends to offer the minister every assistance in what promises to be a major addition to motor sport in the region.

“The FIA understands the circumstances under which the minister’s invitation has now been withdrawn.”

In the statement, Mosley was quoted as saying: “I fully understand the minister’s position and look forward to resuming contact with him when the News of the World’s deliberate and calculated lies have been comprehensively refuted.”