Formula 1: President in focus: Automobile Association Fia defends itself

formula 1
President in focus: Automobile Association Fia defends itself

The International Automobile Association (FIA) has defended itself against allegations of bullying and sexism against President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “The Fia takes allegations of abuse very seriously and handles all complaints with robust and clear procedures,” said a Fia spokesman at the request of the German Press Agency. The British daily Telegraph had previously made serious allegations public.

Accordingly, Ben Sulayem’s former employee Shaila-Ann Rao, former interim general secretary for motorsport, is said to have written a letter before her surprising departure at the end of last year and sent it to several places in which she is said to have complained of sexist behavior, among other things. According to the report, these allegations have never been investigated.

Fia denies allegations

The denies the Fia. “Regarding Shaila-Ann Rao’s specific allegations, due process was followed with an amicable hearing conducted by the President of the Senate,” the Fia spokesman said. A possible referral of the matter to the Fia ethics committee was then given by none of the parties.

Furthermore, “no complaints” were received against the 61-year-old president. And further: Should the Fia ethics committee or the compliance officer “receive a complaint from an employee in the future, it will be dealt with comprehensively by our committee of independently elected ethics committee members, which has existed since 2012.”

According to the Telegraph, Rao felt humiliated by Ben Sulayem’s behavior. Among other things, the man from the United Arab Emirates is said to have publicly yelled at the lawyer, who is well-known in motorsport circles, at the Belgian Grand Prix in the paddock for others to see and hear. The newspaper cited several sources who are said to have observed the scene.

dpa