FIA no comment on Mosley sex allegations

Formula One's governing body has kept its distance from sexual allegations in a British tabloid newspaper about its president Max Mosley.

"This is a matter between Mr Mosley and the paper in question," an International Automobile Federation (FIA) spokesman said.

"We understand that Mr Mosley's lawyers are now in contact with that newspaper and the FIA has no comment."

The News of the World reported in a front page story that FIA president Mosley, 67, had taken part in a 'sadomasochistic orgy' with five prostitutes that reportedly involved Nazi role-playing. A video was also posted on the newspaper's Web site. It printed pictures of a man who appeared to be Mosley, being caned by a woman, and said that the acts took place in an apartment near Mosley's London home on Friday.

Mosley is the son of the late Oswald Mosley, founder of the pre-war British Union of Fascists. Married with two sons, he has been president of the FIA since 1993.