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Inside Lines: Will Max get a spanking after his royal seal of disapproval?

Alan Hubbard
Sunday 04 October 2009 00:00 BST
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To suggest that Max Mosley doesn't like being beaten may sound something of a paradox, but his campaign to install favoured choice Jean Todt as his successor as president of motorsport's ruling body FIA may come unstuck after upsetting one of the most powerful men in the Middle East. Jordan's Prince Feisal is fast becoming a seriously influential player in motorsport politics after steering his country's successful bid to become the first Arab nation to host a World Rally Championship, is furious at Mosley snubbing his invitation to last week's conference of motorsport governing bodies in Amman and more so at receiving a savage letter from him denigrating Todt's challenger, Ari Vatanen, warning that the popular Finn and his associates "have made enemies of the FIA membership". Hardly diplomatic, as the sports-loving Prince Feisal is himself one of Vatanen's backers and set to become an FIA vice-president should he win. A source close to the royal palace tells us: "Prince Feisal is very angry indeed with Mr Mosley, especially after he extended the hand of friendship by inviting him to the world rally event at a time when the motor world seemed against him because of the bondage scandal. He is gravely concerned at some of the insinuations made in Mr Mosley's letter." It may be that Mosley will find upsetting a royal who commands much respect beyond motorsport's growing Middle East constituency a less pleasurable painful experience.

Boxers say 'Bring back Edwards'

Terry Edwards, the GB head coach controversially axed after the Beijing Olympics, has won a public apology and substantial damages from the Amateur Boxing Association, whose president is former sports minister Richard Caborn, over claims by chief executive Paul King that he had been told bonuses for the medallists had been withdrawn. "I am absolutely delighted because I have always been an honest and straight guy and feel vindicated," said Edwards after last week's out-of-court settlement. Figures have not been revealed but an ABA source says that including legal costs it amounts to around £80,000. The financially beleaguered ABA, who lost £675,000 last year, have yet to settle with the Olympic medal-winners who between them are suing for a total of £32,000 in unpaid bonuses. And there could be embarrassment for umbrella body the British Amateur Boxing Association. We hear that in the annual UK Sport questionnaire which asks all elite athletes how they feel their sport is doing, some of the present GB boxing squad are believed to have expressed discontent with the revamped coaching set-up and want Edwards to return following the resignation of performance director Kevin Hickey.

And all that Jazz

The Utah Jazz basketball star Mehmet Okur will have his eye on another ball game when he arrives today for Tuesday's NBA pre-season clash with the Chicago Bulls, whose line-up includes Britain's Luol Deng, at London's O2 Arena. Turkish-born Okur, an avid football fan, hopes to touch down in time to watch Chelsea versus Liverpool. As usual the slam-dunk special, to be televised by ESPN and broadcast on 5 Live from 7.30pm, is a sell-out. The near seven-foot centre Okur says he is looking forward to having "a nice chat" with Deng during the game. "I like him as a player and a person." No Bull then.

insidelines@independent.co.uk

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