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Stewart calls for Mosley resignation
Formula One great Jackie Stewart warned on Sunday that Max Mosley's involvement in a sex scandal could have a commercial impact on the sport and called for the FIA president to resign.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:05 April 7, 2008
Manama: Formula One great Jackie Stewart warned on Sunday that Max Mosley's involvement in a sex scandal could have a commercial impact on the sport and called for the FIA president to resign.
"If he was chief executive of the CBI [Confederation of British Industry], the FA [Football Association] or the Olympic committee, he would have already stood down," the triple champion said at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
International Automobile Federation head Mosley is suing British Sunday tabloid The News of the World for unlimited damages after they published allegations about his involvement in a sado-masochistic orgy with prostitutes.
The newspaper published further details in its latest edition on Sunday. Briton Mosley, whose father Oswald founded the pre-war British Union of Fascists, has denied there were any Nazi connotations. Stewart said the affair, which has eclipsed events on the track this week, could make potential sponsors think twice about entering the sport and suggested commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone could force Mosley's hand. "He has to do it [resign] himself, but Bernie Ecclestone holds a very key role in that," said the Scot.
"If he is going to listen to anybody, then he should listen to Bernie because it was he who sold him the commercial rights.
"Bernie has been largely responsible for getting him where he is today."
Ecclestone is a member of the FIA's world motor sport council and, while he may privately want Mosley to tender his resignation, has refused to join the chorus of those clamouring publicly for his compatriot's head.
If he was chief executive of the CBI [Confederation of British Industry], the FA [Football Association] or the Olympic committee, he would have already stood down."
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