By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been reported that Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is 64 years old and the President of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the Governing Body of World Motor Sport, is proposing to remove the limits on the FIA Presential term of 12 years.
Under the present rules, the FIA Presidential term is four years, subject to a maximum of three terms.
The proposal to change the FIA Statutes, to achieve this change, will be discussed and voted upon at the FIA General Assembly, to be held in June.
The proposed change is expected to be passed by the FIA members.
Whether such a change is appropriate, in motor sport or indeed, for that matter, in any sport, is debatable. There are pros and cons.
Last year, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr Thomas Bach, declined the possibility of continuing in office beyond the statutory term of 12 years, remarking that "our organisation is best served with a change in leadership; new times are calling for new leaders".
In other words, Bach regarded the IOC Presidential term limit as a fundamental matter of good governance.
However, it has been pointed out that Roger Goodell has been the Commissioner of the NFL in the United States since 2006, and during that time has "transformed the sport into a global brand and it has an outstanding governance record”.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘