Showing posts with label #Saudi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Saudi. Show all posts

Wednesday, 6 March 2024

FIA CONFIRMS WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS AGAINST PRESIDENT REGARDING SAUDI ARABIA AND LAS VEGAS RACES

AP Photo


 The FIA said Tuesday that its compliance officer has received two complaints “detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing body" in seeming reference to whistleblower claims against the president of Formula 1's governing body.

The BBC reported this week that FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem allegedly intervened to overturn a penalty given to Fernando Alonso at last year's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. A second BBC report says the same whistleblower also claims Ben Sulayem told officials not to certify the Las Vegas circuit for its high-profile race last November.

“The Compliance Department is assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed,” the FIA said.

The FIA confirmed no details about the allegations or even that Ben Sulayem is the target. In an additional statement given to The Associated Press, an FIA spokesman said: “It is unfortunate and a source of great concern that the matter has been disclosed to the media without any prior authorization and that certain elements of the report were inaccurately reported.”

Monday, 11 December 2023

WTA SAYS NO DECISION YET ON 2024 FINALS HOST AMID REPORTED SAUDI INTEREST



The WTA is yet to decide on a venue for its 2024 season-ending Finals, the governing body of women's tennis said, amid growing speculation the championship is headed to Saudi Arabia.

Cancun was named the venue for this year's edition less than two months before it began on Oct. 29 and the Mexico event drew heavy criticism from world number two Aryna Sabalenka over the standard of organisation.

Multiple media outlets have said the Finals are set to move to Saudi Arabia and the BBC reported that negotiations were in the late stages with both parties keen on a multi-year deal.

"We are in discussions with various groups surrounding the 2024 WTA Finals and beyond and have not made any decisions at this time," a WTA spokesperson said in an email.

"As with all WTA decisions, we are working closely with players and focused on continuing to build a strong future for women's tennis."