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Ukraine Escalates Legal Push to Suspend Russia's FIA Membership

The FAU says it seeks to reverse the FIA's August decision on Russian competitors by challenging alleged RAF offices in territory recognised as Ukrainian.

Overview

  • The Automobile Federation of Ukraine has formally asked FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to suspend the Russian Automobile Federation and to restore strict participation limits on Russian and Belarusian competitors.
  • The FAU alleges the RAF has opened offices in Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia—areas that the United Nations recognises as part of Ukraine.
  • The FAU says it has appealed to the FIA senate and ethics committee, received no substantive reply, and has lodged a case with the FIA International Court of Appeal.
  • The FIA has so far kept its 3 August change that allows Russian and Belarusian competitors to use national flags and anthems while retaining bans on holding events in Russia and Belarus and noting compliance with sanctions.
  • The case turns on FIA governance rules that recognise one national sporting authority per country and could set a precedent about how the federation enforces statutes and handles disputes over sovereignty and member conduct.