FIA proposal faces heavy backlash in strongly worded attack

The Austrian Automobile Association (OAMTC) has warned FIA members over damaging the governing body's credibility amid proposed statute changes presented by president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The FIA General Assembly is due to meet in Macau on Thursday, where it will consider alterations to a number of areas.

Included in the proposed changes is limiting who can challenge Ben Sulayem for the FIA presidency, with another election set to be held in December later this year.

The OAMTC has emailed a letter to the mobility section of the FIA's world council, which has been seen by Reuters.

In the letter, the club has expressed fear over the risks the vote poses to the FIA's reputation.

“We appeal to all members to support our motion to remove the voting on the proposed FIA statute changes from the General Assembly's agenda," the letter read.

“There is no urgency regarding these proposed changes... they risk further contributing to the erosion of the FIA's reputation for competent and transparent governance.

“It cannot be - and is not - a coincidence that changes relevant to the FIA's elections have been promoted by the FIA's leadership at the same time as the FIA's incumbent president has announced an intention to run in those elections.

“Where there is even a risk of these changes appearing to benefit the current FIA administration, and not the FIA itself, the changes should not be adopted.”

The letter, which has been reported in full by The Race, further highlights the OATMC's concerns over developments at the FIA in recent times.

“The FIA has entered a dark period of democratic backsliding,” the letter stated.

“Recent actions and changes within the FIA are inviting comparisons with the excesses of political leaders intent on deconstructing the checks and balances that come with responsible governance. 

“Governance systems, whether in politics or in governing bodies such as the FIA, face a crisis when oversight-free decisions become possible, and systems of accountability are undermined and made ineffective.”

The letter continued to challenge the FIA, taking aim at its alleged internal methods.

“In the face of growing internal concern regarding the actions of the FIA leadership, and facing the reality that existing internal bodies and officers would prove incapable of constraining the administration, the FIA’s leadership has also taken steps to limit the risk of external criticism. 

“Specifically, it has sought to smother the possibility of debate or criticism regarding FIA actions emerging by demanding a personal contractual commitment – outside the FIA’s Statutes or governance terms, outside of the FIA’s internal regulations and outside employment law – from each relevant FIA officer requiring them to pay up to €50,000 to the FIA in the event they breach confidentiality terms set by the FIA, plus the possibility of an additional undisclosed damages payment to the FIA.”

The OATMC outlined injury has already been inflicted on the governing body, stating: “Damage to the FIA’s credibility as an organisation has already occurred through repeated governance mis-steps and failings.”

It wrote that this has come about due to a “system of governance that is malfunctioning, due to the absence of normal internal debate and discussion.” 

The FIA defended the changes voted through, its statement can be found here.