"We have been granted permission to file an urgent lawsuit. It shows that the judiciary takes the democratic shortcomings within Fia seriously," says Villar's lawyer, Robin Binsard.
The reason is that each candidate for the presidential election on December 12 is required to appoint a vice-chairman from each of the six global regions. The names must be approved by Fia.
“Not democracy”
From South America there is only one approved candidate – Fabiana Ecclestone. She already sits on the FIA board, which also includes Swede Anna Nordkvist. FIA has never had a female chairman.
“Under these circumstances, no competing list can include a vice president for South America among its seven vice presidents, as that region is already represented on the outgoing president’s list,” Villar’s lawsuit states.
Villars is now requesting that the election be postponed. American Tim Mayer has previously abandoned his attempt to challenge the incumbent chairman, Mohammed Ben Sulayem of the United Arab Emirates.
"There will only be one candidate, the incumbent. It's not democracy – it's an illusion of democracy," Mayer said earlier in October.
Valid previous choice
Ben Sulayem has previously been criticized for his leadership and lack of transparency. In April, vice-chairman Robert Reid resigned after being critical of the way the federation was governed.
"The FIA chairman election is a democratic and structured process. The requirements regarding the vice-chairmen are not new. These criteria have also applied to previous elections," says a spokesperson from the association.
Fia cannot comment on the legal process and will not be able to provide further comments on this matter.
A court hearing has been set for November 10.
Facts: Mohammed Ben Sulayem
TT
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, born November 12, 1961 in Dubai, is the president of the International Automobile Federation and a former rally driver.
He was elected president of Fia in December 2021, after serving as vice president since 2008.
He has been criticized for his leadership, including accusations of sexism and for attempting to silence critical voices and restrict drivers' freedom of expression.
"Just because media from another country accuses someone of something, we will not follow it," Ben Sulayem has previously told TT.
“I don't care what people think, I just care about the future of the sport.”
