Mosley rejects talk of FIA crisis

The 24 clubs wrote a letter to Mosley saying the FIA was in a 'critical' situation, asking the Briton to step down in order to avoid damage to its image and credibility.

"We strongly believe that the only respectable way forward for the FIA, and for yourself, is to have an orderly transition, with an immediate agreement and your commitment to step down," the letter from the clubs said.

The clubs also said that Mosley's refusal to accept a compromise deal to leave in November had left the governing body in a crisis.

"We deeply regret your refusal to accept the proposal by the members of the World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism to reach an agreement for you to step down at the General Assembly in the coming month of November," the letter added. "This is a constructive effort to facilitate an orderly transition within the FIA and to find a solution to the present crisis."

Mosley, in a letter sent to the 24 clubs, said on Thursday that accepting the deal would have been "the worst possible solution" for the FIA.

The governing body's head also labelled as "nonsense" talks of crisis within the FIA and insisted he has received more calls to stay than to quit.

"I did not accept the proposal from some (but not, as you incorrectly suggest, all) members of the Mobility World Council because it was the worst possible solution," Mosley wrote.

"I would have resigned, yet still spent the summer carrying out all the day-to-day work with neither the time nor the authority to complete the major outstanding tasks. Better to stop immediately than accept this muddled compromise.

"Your suggestion of a 'crisis' is nonsense. Although I am personally embarrassed and greatly regret that this affair has become public, no one fails to call for roadside assistance because of it.

"As I said in my earlier letters, the communications I received from club presidents were overwhelmingly in favour of my remaining as president. I therefore had no choice but to submit the question to the FIA membership as a whole. I certainly could not have simply ignored the majority and resigned."

Mosley also said that some of the clubs that have called for his resignation already wanted him out before the revelations about his private life.

"Some of the larger clubs among those who have signed your letter have previously contradicted their claimed commitment to the FIA," he added. "See the sample responses of the AAA, ADAC, ANWB, JAF, and TCS to the FIA Survey of 5 February 2008 attached. These same clubs have, of course, been trying to change the structure of the FIA since well before the events they now seek to exploit.

"As stated in my letter of 23 May, several of these same clubs have formed groups separate from the FIA from which the wider FIA membership is excluded. Worse, they have obstructed our efforts to improve cooperation between all clubs.

"Combined with a complete lack of transparency, I believe these activities are contrary to the interests of the FIA."

Mosley also claimted the stance adopted by Bernie Ecclestone in his letter on Friday was different to that which he has previously indicated.

"Mr Ecclestone is willing to continue working with the FIA because he has a binding contract to do so. In his letter to the clubs, he says he is now willing to live with this contract. That is a sudden and major change in position.

"Together with other member clubs of the FIA you will be free to express your views to the Assembly next Tuesday."

Mosley is set to face a confidence vote in an Extraordinary General Assembly on June 3rd.