18/10/2007
NEWS STORY
The FIA is to investigate comments made by Carlos Gracia, President of the Spanish Motor Sport Authority, which appeared to suggest that the British, as a nation, are racist.
Gracia has claimed that his comments were misquoted, however, in the eyes of many the damage has already been done.
According to the Daily Mail, an FIA spokesman said: "We have noted the recent press comments attributed to the President of the Spanish Motor Sport Authority and we have received his assurance that such comments have been inaccurately reported.
"The prohibition of racial, political religious discrimination is fundamental to the FIA's role as the governing body of international motor sport. No compromise or violation of this prohibition will ever be acceptable."
However, the newspaper claims that "privately" the FIA is "furious", especially at a time when the world's attention is focussed on the season finale. The British newspaper claims that Gracia's comments will be fully investigated, and that the newspaper that interviewed him (El Publico) will hand over the original tapes.
Gracia could be punished for bringing the sport into disrepute.