Despite lurid allegations about his private life and widespread calls for him to resign, Max Mosley, the president of Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), has found an unlikely ally in the United Arab Emirates.

However, one man to vote in favour of Mosley retaining his position is Mohammed ben Sulayem, the president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE.

He said: "I think it has been used for the wrong reasons," ben Sulayem said. "Surely he did not break the law. This is something that is allowed there. I am a full supporter. If someone wants to use this for the wrong reasons, it is not acceptable.

"God gave us a very amazing gift not to forget. How fast can we forget what this man did for motor sport - where it was and where it is now? He did not commit anything that weakens the FIA. We as members of the FIA elected him."

Condemnation has rained down on the Mosley since the publication in the News of the World of details about his part in an allegedly Nazi-inspired sado-masochistic orgy which is alleged to have taken with five prostitutes in a basement flat in Chelsea, west London.

The FIA have now decided that on June 3, Mosley will go before the FIA's general assembley, for a secret ballot that will decide his future as president of the organisation. In the meantime, Mosley, who has run the organisation for the past 15 years, is expected to embark on an intensive round of 'shuttle diplomacy' to try to secure his future.