Jul.17 (GMM) A possible split between disgruntled automobile clubs and the FIA is "moving forward", American club (AAA) president Robert Darbelnet insists.

Several clubs, including Germany's large ADAC organisation, were furious last month when scandal-gripped FIA president Max Mosley survived office despite his sadomasochistic romp with five prostitutes.

With his escapades now being reported in explicit detail in court and therefore the mainstream media, it emerges that some clubs are still very unhappy about the situation.

Although no formal splits have been announced as yet, Darbelnet says talks with six of the world's leading car clubs are about setting up an alternate governing body.

"From those discussions, we could come up with an alternate form or structure, which is what it would take," he told the Associated Press.

"We need to define the best type of structure. I don't see people getting off the boat and on another one without some kind of assurances," he added.

Darbelnet confirmed that the intense media attention of Mosley's privacy case against the British tabloid News of the World is another impediment to moving on in the wake of the sex scandal.

Kage Schildt, president of the Swedish national body, added: "Of course this debate is not good for the FIA. But it's up to (Mosley), it's up to him all the time."