Mosley hit by further sex allegations
6th April 2008, 8:24 by Keith Collantine 37 Comments »
The News of the World has published a stack of fresh allegations against Max Mosley this morning.
The newspaper is clearly not concerned about Mosley’s declaration that he will sue them. In a “tell-all” interview with one of the prostitutes (a typical tabloid tactic) it specifically targets Mosley’s defence that his now infamous bondage session with several call girls had a Nazi theme.
This was an entirely predictable move by the newspaper and is further proof that Mosley must step down from his role as FIA president to spare Formula 1 more embarrassment while he works to clear his name.
John Beamer said on 6th April 2008, 8:49
Hmm … if it wasn’t so sick it would almost be amusing. How long can he stay on?
Edinburger Neil said on 6th April 2008, 9:13
until the general assembly, no longer I think!
Haggis said on 6th April 2008, 9:38
I think you’re right, this was obviously going to happen. NOTW won’t let it drop until Max resigns. I’ll bet they’ve already written next weeks expose, which will widen the scope of it.
Tom said on 6th April 2008, 9:49
But why does this effect his ability to perform his job? I’m not being naive and am aware of the knock on effect or supposed ‘bringing the sport into disrepute’ which appears to be everybodys argument, but how does it exactly? I don’t see how it effects F1 or any other FIA governed sport. In fact, like any press it raises the profile ultimately, I don’t think Ashley Cole was almost fired for cheating on his wife, but it did sell a lot of papers and probably raised his and Chelseas media profile temporarily.I think this is a case of over-reaction within motorsport at its first proper run in with the media and its very personal lives.
Rabi said on 6th April 2008, 10:24
because of the racial element (Nazi) involved in his sex scandal he is unable to perform his job as many car manufacturers and other major business/political/you name it people would not want to be photographed shaking his hand or anything of a sort as it is just complete negative publicity from now on.
Think about it, if you are a head of a massive company or state or government the last thing you need in your tenure is to be associated with a racist Nazi. So therefore as the head of the FIA he will be making the entire FIA look like as if they approve of the Nazi element and therefore tag Formula 1 and all other FIA approved motorsport as a racist sport.
Now we fans know this is not to be true but if you go and grab the common man who has no idea of what F1 is about they will not see it that way.
Basically the whole thing is down to perception which is a major part of Public Relations and F1 (and other motorsport) in this current climate cannot afford to have piss poor PR, let alone a racist Nazi at the head promoting it.
Also I believe that the King of Bahrain stated he would not want Mosley to come to the Grand Prix which is a comment that Bernie also said. So what good is a FIA President if he cannot come to major events and promote it amongst the commercial and political world?
Tom said on 6th April 2008, 10:41
The racial element is to be challenged as I understand it, of course the NOTW are going to argue it was a Nazi orgy, because he’s an easy target. He is not a popstar, or an actor, or any form of role model, he is the president of an organisation and has to answer to his shareholders and board members, not the public.Piss poor PR? Last year one of the biggest sporting scandals happened in during my lifetime when McLaren were found guilty of spying, and they got a fine. That was clearly more detrimental to the sport, and in fact perhaps the automotive industry, particularly Mercades image.Also, I don’t think it is necessary he attends events, Bernie is the face of F1. Its no big deal in other sports if the President of the governing body doesn’t attend. Anyway at least if he doesn’t attend perhaps he can watch the coverage on ITV and get wound up over James Allen like the rest of us…
milos said on 6th April 2008, 11:01
the fact that he has to spend his time and best efforts on fighting these and who knows what other allegations is alone a reason why he should not run FIA now. anywhere he shows up people will ask him first about the orgy and then maybe car racing questions may follow….
and NOTW will not let go … he could save that million dollars or so
the extraordinary meeting is going to cost, save us more of this sick story and simply go … but to do that he would have to have interests of car racing and not his own in mind
Keith Collantine said on 6th April 2008, 11:07
He’s supposed to be launching ‘Racing against Racism’ at the next Grand Prix…
John Beamer said on 6th April 2008, 11:09
Tom — as Keith said, how can he have any claim to fight against racism after this …. his only get out is if it is completely fabricated, which looks very unlikely at this point.
KB said on 6th April 2008, 11:11
Did anyone ever hear the saying – ‘You shouldnt believe everything you read in the press?’.
British press, especially.
Why should someones sex life be anyone elses business in the parties invovled are all consenting adults……’what ever turns you on Max’
milos said on 6th April 2008, 11:15
it is not about believing what is in the press … it is about for example what is the hottest F1 topic right now – Kubica’s pole or Max Mosley ? We are an hour from the race and what are we discussing …. Is that right ? this would not be the case if not for Mr. Mosley …
John Beamer said on 6th April 2008, 11:20
KB — the British press has some of the highest reporting standards in the world, certainly more so than the US press … their investigative journalism is second to none.
I think Clive said it — once you pay for sex in a rented flat with five hookers your private life isn’t quite so private is it? You could argue that McLaren got Ferrari’s data in private too ….!
Anyway, given that Max hasn’t refuted the allegation means that it is likely true. The Nazi element is probably open to interpretation … but when you are having a debate about that then you know you are in trouble. According to autosport NOTW is sending the tape to members of the FIA senate so they can decide who is telling the truth.
Dan Brunell said on 6th April 2008, 11:20
Tom,
Let’s put it this way. If you were the head of an association where you have to adjudicate and manage competing interest in a fair and balanced way, (not that mad max has ever lived up to that) you cannot have a reputation that can be easily questioned or manipulated. In his role as ahead of the world motoring body, Max isn’t a CEO as a public official. He is the face of the FIA and their efforts.
So what this has to do with this situation? The very fact that he can be compromised and/or be put in a compromising position this easily. For example, if a certain car manufacture doesn’t like their crash test rating, they could manipulate the situation by threating Max that they have more unsavory information about his personal life. Max has put himself in the situation where hisl authority is compromised by his personal actions.
It that reason why he needs to resign. Not for what his personal life has done to the FIA, but how his personal life could do to the FIA in the future.
Keith Collantine said on 6th April 2008, 11:30
The newspaper are sending copies of the video tape to the FIA Senate:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66420
Robert McKay said on 6th April 2008, 11:31
I’ve read the new reports, and the "racial", "Nazi" elements still feel very thin to me. Most of this "story" is pure spin – look at references such as "German (not Nazi) military uniform". My favourite is this:
"One ‘guard’ uses the term ‘facility’ — the sort of clinical language associated with Nazis
Oh come on, that’s tenuous to the point of being the NOTW’s own interpretation. Other words like "pervert" and "chilling" are ridiculous hyperbole.
This is gutter press of the lowest order.