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 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 vot
e of confidence via a secret ballot of the FIA General Assembly to take place in Paris on 3 June. The associations representing America, Germany, Holland, Israel and Austria have already called on Mosley to resign or consider his position. Now the Canadian Automobile Association has demanded Mosley step down.
Leanne Maidment, its director of communications, 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, 4 April, to the FIA formally asking for Mr Mosley's resignation. We hope that after careful consideration, he will do so."
The New Zealand 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However, the NZAA has withdrawn the invitation, with spokesman Greg Hunting saying: "I wrote to him late last week suggesting it might not be possible (to attend] under the circumstances.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 various calls for him to quit a post he has held since 1993, Mosley has so far belligerently refused to do what many perceive as his honourable duty. Instead, he is prepared to fight on for the next two months, a timeframe that has 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," said Stewart. "It means until it happens there will be destabilising influences with regard to the reputation of the FIA and associated bodies."
The full article contains 388 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
