FIA president to have future decided today.

After weeks of being shunned by royal families and Formula One team bosses alike, FIA president Max Mosley should today learn whether he has the backing of the organisation's member clubs following his involvement in a sex 'scandal'.

Members of motorsport's governing body are due to meet today [Tuesday] to vote on whether Mosley is fit to remain in office for the remainder of his current term - the 68-year old has said that he will stand down at its end next year - after the Briton was caught in a sting revealed by the UK's News of the World tabloid.

With Mosley's remit covering both motorsport and general motoring, some 177 votes from clubs in 96 countries will be cast in what an FIA spokesman has confirmed will be a sealed secret ballot. There has been concern from some that there could be reprisals for those that oppose Mosley should he survive the vote of confidence.

Mosley has repeatedly ignored calls to quit since the revelation of his involvement in what was described as a 'Nazi-themed sado-masochistic orgy with prostitutes' came to light, and has even issued a letter to the member clubs pointing out what a 'nightmare scenario' that could happen should he be voted out of office. He is currently suing the News of the World for invasion of privacy after pictures and video footage of the orgy were released alongside the newspaper reports.

Mosley will have an opportunity to defend his activities at the meeting of members in Paris, as will others speaking for and against him. A recent poll of 100 member clubs by Britain's Guardian newspaper suggested that 37 per cent wanted Mosley to resign his position, with only 25 per cent in favour of him remaining as president, and the Briton has said that he will go should he lose the vote, despite no obvious successor being lined up to replace him. FIA vice-presidents have been taking over his ceremonial duties in recent weeks after Mosley's presence was opposed by the likes of the Bahrain and Monaco royal families.

The result of the vote is expected early this afternoon.