Mosley facing mounting pressure to quit

By Alan Baldwin

MANAMA (Reuters) - Max Mosley sought an extraordinary meeting of motor sport's world governing body on Thursday after four Formula One carmakers put pressure on him to resign as FIA president because of a sex scandal.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement at the Bahrain Grand Prix that Mosley had asked the FIA Senate President, Monaco's Michel Boeri, to call a general assembly.

"The full membership of the FIA will be invited to attend the meeting at which the widespread publicity following an apparently illegal invasion of the FIA President's privacy will be discussed," it said.

That meeting is likely to be held in Paris, although it could take weeks to arrange since the FIA has 222 national motoring organisations in 130 countries and on five continents.

Mosley will be expecting a positive outcome after saying on Tuesday that he had received considerable support from within the FIA and motor sport "suggesting that my private life is not relevant to my work and that I should continue in my role".

Mosley's move came after British Sunday tabloid the News of the World detailed how the Briton had paid for sex with prostitutes in what was depicted as a Nazi-style orgy.

The 67-year-old Briton, who has been FIA president since 1993 but draws no salary for the elected position, has said he will not stand down.