Viktor Kiryanov: The sanctioned former Russian general has returned to motorsport’s governing body, the FIA

He is defined as an “involved person” under EU sanctions because the body alleges he is “involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by acting as a director or manager, or equivalent position, of an entity of the Government of Russia, Rostec, which is owned by the Russian Government and conducts business in a sector of strategic importance to the Government of Russia, namely the defense sector.”

Kiryanov’s involvement with the FIA ​​comes through his position as President of the Russian Automobile Federation.

After the beginning of the Ukrainian War, the FIA ​​World Council allied with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on introducing a series of rules regarding the participation of Russian citizens in the sport.

These requirements included requiring Russian and Belarusian officials to temporarily step down from their roles and responsibilities as elected officials and committee members.

Bin Sulayem and David Richards, Chairman of MotorsportUK, at the time insisted that Kiryanov step down from his position on the World Council, which he did voluntarily.

The International Olympic Committee’s position on Russia has not changed, externalBut on May 12, the FIA ​​World Council agreed via electronic vote to reinstate the Russian and Belarusian officials “in the interest of justice.”

Kiryanov has since attended World Motor Sport Council hearings in June and October. First, he personally thanked Ben Sulayem for inviting him back to the World Council, multiple sources told BBC Sport.

He is not on the list of members eligible for World Council membership in the next presidential term, which begins after the FIA ​​elections in December.

Ben Sulayem cannot face any opposition in the election, as a flaw in FIA rules means that no other candidate is able to compile the required list of vice-presidents of the sport.

An FIA spokesperson said: “The FIA ​​is a politically neutral body, governed by a democratically elected Senate. Members of the World Motor Sport Council are elected and serve in an individual capacity.”

“The FIA ​​has a long-standing commitment to supporting the neutrality of motorsport.

He added: “Its decision to allow all elected members, regardless of their nationality, to continue their term is in line with the approach of other international sporting bodies.”

The spokesperson said that the FIA’s position is consistent with Article 1.2 of its statute, which states that the FIA ​​”will work to promote the protection of human rights and human dignity, and to refrain from displaying discrimination on grounds of race, skin colour, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, language, religion, philosophical or political opinion, family situation or disability in the course of its activities and from taking any action in this regard.”

“The FIA ​​will focus on underrepresented groups in order to achieve a more balanced gender and ethnic representation and create a more diverse and inclusive culture.”