Turkish GP organisers pay half of record fine
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-19 09:07
SAO PAULO, Oct 18 - Turkish Grand Prix organisers have paid their half of a
record $5 million fine imposed on them and the national federation for a podium
controversy at this year's Formula One race.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA), said in a statement before the
season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Wednesday that a payment from organisers
MSO had been accepted, removing their liability.
TOSFED, Turkey's national sporting authority, has appealed against their
share of the fine. A hearing is scheduled for Paris on November 7.
The punishment was imposed after Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat
presented the winner's trophy to Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the August race in
Istanbul and was introduced to millions of viewers around the world as
"President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".
Cyprus has been split since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the northern
part of the Mediterranean island after a brief, Greek-inspired coup. Only Turkey
recognises the north.
The FIA feared that the podium ceremony had compromised its political
neutrality.
The world motor sport council last month found TOSFED and MSO guilty of
breaking FIA statutes, the international sporting code and Formula One
regulations.
|
