Motorsportuk President David Richards has accused FIA President Mohammad Ben Sulem of the “moral compass” of the organization, increasing a deep crack in the heart of the global motorcyst governance.
In a banged open letter, Richards slammed the FIA for whatever a disturbed fall in “transparency, accountability and integrity”. The move follows his exclusion from the recent FIA World Council meeting after refusing to sign the controversial secrecy agreement sought by its members.
Heart of dispute
The dispute’s heart refuses to sign Richards’s updated confidentiality agreement, one he claims that violations lack clear processes for any form of evaluation and independent arbitration. Richards has not only questioned the terms, but also indicated on extensive issues of centralized control led by Ben Sulem.
Richards said, “The FIA rule and constitutional structure are once more opaque,” a warning of an unhealthy concentration of power in the hands of the President. “This is not just my worry. Others have raised equal issues.”
Legal clouds and leaks
Richards has not supported the legal threats made earlier last month, suggesting that the case could be resolved in court yet. Meanwhile, FIA General Manager, Alberto Villarial fired back, defended as a standard process of privacy agreements and questioned why Richards would not agree to the same conditions as their colleagues.
“We struggle to understand your reluctance,” Villarial said, the FIA’s credibility has been damaged keeping in mind the previous leaks from the World Motorsport Council.
Richards admitted that sensitive information has made its way to media in recent years, but stopped less from the WMSC leak. Instead, he called for an open conversation with the FIA’s legal lawyer to find a resolution, revealing that the Commercial Rights holder Liberty Media for Formula 1 was given a revised version of the agreement after increasing similar objections to the Commercial Rights holder.
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“I am not given that opportunity,” said Richards. “Other stakeholders have adjusted their concerns, why not me?”
Leadership Battle?
The quarrel could not come on more politically charged time. With Ben Sulem for re -election at the end of this year, speculation is walking about a possible challenger. At the age of 72, Richards, the President of the FIA, is unfit to stand up due to the age cap, but according to the internal sources, BBC.com, suggests that at least one alternative candidate is waiting in wings.
Despite criticism, Richards was careful to credits the FIA for his recent achievements. He wrote, “There is a lot to be proud,” but we cannot ignore the erosion of transparency under the current leadership. ,
The FIA, for its share, refused to release the remarks beyond the reaction of the Villarial.
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