Election manager Stephan Netzle, legal counsel for the FIS, insisted that there should only be two options: one vote for the candidate Eliasch and one abstention. Several delegates then carried out their threat and left the hall in protest.
DSV: “Not compliant with Swiss association law”
“An election in which the delegates had only one option to cast a valid vote, namely to vote yes, does not correspond to our understanding of the law and is simply a farce,” said Stefan Schwarzbach, board member of the German Ski Association DSV, the sports show.
“In the opinion of our legal experts, such an approach does not conform with Swiss association law. Together with many other member associations, we made this clear in writing before the election. After our application was not approved, the DSV together with other associations did not take part in the election.”
Remaining delegates vote unanimously for Elijah
Netzle continued the election undeterred and said: If the distance is too small, you can switch to one of the tables on the side. With such an action, however, one would have identified oneself as a potential no-voter. A truly secret election looks different.
So it came about that all the remaining delegates voted in their seats, voted unanimously for Eliasch and then celebrated their new, old President with great applause. The protesting participants returned to their seats shortly thereafter to attend the remainder of the Congress.
Elijah and his critics
The scandal is the next episode in what is now an open power struggle within the FIS. The businessman Eliasch, who is also the owner and managing director of the Head ski brand, seems to want to run the association like a company – from above and without compromise.
Above all, he was criticized for the lack of transparency and communication as well as the attempt to snatch the World Cup rights from the national associations despite existing contracts – in favor of central marketing under the umbrella of the FIS.
Big versus small?
Especially the big ski nations like Germany, Austria and Switzerland are fighting back and are more and more often acting together – like now at the congress. Her plan to deny Eliasch re-election failed. Too many of the smaller nations are behind Eliasch, probably also in the hope of benefiting from its expansion and central marketing plans.
It became clear at the congress and the subsequent press conference that Eliasch was hardly bothered by the deep ditch caused by his bandage. “I have a duty to ensure the welfare of all associations – not just a select few,” he said. He considers the election result to be a significant majority and a clear mandate. However, with a view to the controversial election, there is a risk of legal consequences. “As also announced in advance in writing, we are now having the entire process checked and we reserve the right to take legal action,” said DSV board member Schwarzbach.