Strong FIA criticism continues as "gag order" gives Ben Sulayem 'greater power'

Motorsport UK Chair David Richards has strongly criticised the situation within the FIA, believing the sports governing body is "becoming increasingly less transparent" and making President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's "power only greater".

In an open letter published in response to a letter from FIA manager Alberto Villarreal, Richards expresses his concerns about the way the international motorsport governing body is being run.

This also comes after Robert Reid, the deputy president for sport at the FIA, resigned from his position with immediate effect, saying that he could not continue in his role "in good faith", raising similar concerns about transparency and decision-making processes, ultimately leading to his immediate resignation.

Renewed fierce criticism of FIA

According to Richards, there is an increasing concentration of power in President Ben Sulayem: "What is disappointing in this letter from Alberto is the disregard for the very real concerns that have been expressed, not just by myself, but a growing number of people, that the governance and constitutional organisation of the FIA is becoming ever more opaque and concentrating power in the hands of the President alone," writes Richards.

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The controversy arose after Richards was excluded from a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in February for refusing to sign an amended confidentiality agreement. He argues that the agreement lacks a clear procedure for reviewing violations and an independent process in case of disputes. "I stand by my statement that this is in effect a ‘gagging order’.", says Richards. He also argues that the exclusion from the meeting is against the FIA statutes and also unlawful.

Richards says he is open to dialogue but finds Villarreal's response inadequate. "I very much hope that despite Alberto’s letter, dismissing these material issues, we might yet have a sensible discussion with the legal counsel of the FIA and resolve these points. They are not insurmountable, but as currently written, they are wholly inappropriate."

"Various other parties have expressed the same concerns, which has resulted in adaptations to the agreements that they have signed. That opportunity has not yet been afforded to me," concluded Richards

This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder