Ukraine has filed a formal complaint with the FIA Ethics Committee after the governing body lifted its ban on Russian competitors in international motorsport.
The Ukrainian Automobile Federation (FAU) requested an urgent investigation into the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF) on Thursday, alleging that it has breached FIA rules governing national sporting authorities.
FAU alleges RAF operates offices in Ukrainian territory
The FAU claims the RAF has opened and operates offices in Crimea, Sevastopol, and the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts—regions recognised as Ukrainian territory by the United Nations.
In its complaint, the FAU cited a breach of “Article 3.3 of the FIA Statutes and Article 1.4.1 of the International Sporting Code, both of which provide that only one ASN [national body] may be recognised per country, with authority extending over that country’s entire national territory.”
The Ukrainian federation argues that the RAF is therefore violating FIA rules by operating in territory it considers part of Ukraine.
The complaint also highlights that RAF leaders, including president Boris Rotenberg, are subject to international sanctions imposed by the United States, United Kingdom and European Union over aggression against Ukraine.
The FAU has called for an immediate investigation and demanded that the RAF close its offices.
“This is a clear breach of the FIA Statutes by the Russian Automobile Federation, which, as an FIA member organisation, is bound to comply with them,” Oleksandr Feldman, FAU president, said. “We urge the FIA President to take urgent action to have these offices closed, and for the Russian Automobile Federation to be sanctioned for its actions.”
FIA lifts restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers
Earlier this month, the FIA reversed its restrictions on Russian and Belarusian drivers. Competitors from both countries are now permitted to race under their national flags, after previously being barred from doing so following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
The changes do not allow international events to be held in Russia or Belarus, which remain subject to FIA restrictions.
The FIA cancelled its contract for the Russian Grand Prix in 2022. That race was scheduled to be the final event at the Sochi Autodrom, with the Igora Drive circuit planned to host the Russian Grand Prix from 2023.
During this period, Russian drivers have generally competed under different national bodies. Robert Shwartzman raced under an Israeli flag, while Daniil Kvyat and Nikita Bedrin have held Italian racing licences. Russian drivers have also represented Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan across junior racing categories.
Source: www.motorsport.com
