Mosley faces more calls to resign

The FIA Senate`s acceptance of Max Mosley`s request to hold a general assembly meeting to discuss the controversy over his private life has done little to quell criticisms of the governing body`s president.

With Mosley due to face a vote of confidence at the general assembly meeting on June 3, there had been a possibility of the matter being pushed out of the spotlight for several weeks.

But the news of the June meeting has in fact prompted further public comments from national motoring bodies, with Motorsport New Zealand the latest to come out and say Mosley should still step down.

The country`s Automobile Association has already withdrawn an invitation for Mosley to attend a transport and environment summit in June, which would have clashed with the general assembly meeting anyway.

And now Motorsport New Zealand general manager Ross Armstrong has said it would be an `excellent result` for Mosley to resign before the June 3 vote.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Armstrong said: “Sometimes it`s better to go than be pushed.”

Earlier this week, the Canadian Automobile Association joined the criticisms of Mosley in believing he should step down.

Leanne Maidment, director of communication for the CAA, was quoted as saying by the Press Association: “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 FIA has been one that 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.”

But not everyone is critical of Mosley. Mohammed ben Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates, said he still totally supported Mosley.

“I think it has been used for the wrong reasons,” ben Sulayem said about the matter. “Surely he did not break the law. This is something that is allowed there. I am a full supporter. If someone wants to use this for the wrong reasons, it is not acceptable.

“God gave us a very amazing gift not to forget. How fast can we forget what this man did for motor sport? Where it was and where it is now. He did not commit anything that weakens the FIA. We as members of the FIA elected him.”

11.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Mosley    ▪ www.autosport.com