FIDE ETHICS COMMISSION
Case N. 2/07
JUDGEMENT
rendered by the
FIDE ETHICS COMMISSION sitting in the following composition
Chairman: Mr. Roberto Rivello
Members: Mr. Ralph Alt
Mr. Laurence Ball
Mr. Dirk J.A. De Ridder
Mr. Noureddine Tabbane
Mr. Ian Wilkinson
in the case
“Mr. Nigel Short” (Complaint of Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili)
concerning the following facts
– Giving an interview to the Indian journalist Vijay Tagore, published on 30th January 2007 by the newspaper “DNA”, to have defamed Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Mr. Georgios Makropoulos, damaging their honour and reputation, and the FIDE reputation, saying that: “FIDE deputy president Georgios Makropoulos and vice-president Zurab Azmaiparashvili spent more time in San Luis at their hotel 16 km away than they did in the tournament hall despite being paid thousands of dollars, plus considerable expenses, to do their job on the Appeal’s Committee. It came as absolutely no surprise to me that these dunderheads would flunk the first crisis that they were presented with i.e. Elista toiletgate. I might add that Azmai is singularly inappropriate for such work having, by his own admission, cheated in winning the 2003 European Championship”.
Facts that could constitute a violation of par. 2.2.10, 2.2.11 of the FIDE Code of Ethics.
…
ON THESE GROUNDS
the EC rules that:
5 Case N. 2/2007 FIDE Ethics Commission
– in the part concerning an alleged damage to FIDE and to Mr. Georgios Makropoulos reputation, the complaint filed by Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili is not admissible nor receivable and the charge concerning the violation of art. 2.2.10 of the FIDE Code of Ethics has to be dismissed;
– criticising Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili in an interview, Mr. Nigel Short exercised his right to criticism and did not violate the FIDE Code of Ethics, thus on this part the complaint against him has to be dismissed;
– using the word “dunderhead” Mr. Nigel Short exceeded in the expression of his opinions, abusing of the right to criticism and committed a conduct likely to injure or discredit Mr. Zurab Azmaiparashvili’s reputation, thus violating art. 2.2.11 of the FIDE Code of Ethics;
– Mr. Nigel Short is sanctioned with a warning.
Done in Athens, 29 July 2007.
The Chairman of the FIDE Ethics Commission
Roberto Rivello
Here is the full FIDE ruling: http://www.fide.com/news/download/Judgement02-07.pdf
Did FIDE say that Short is a dunderhead?
What is a dunderhead? Is it someone who behave like Short?
A dunderhead is a dunce, or stupid person.
I wonder how FIDE would rule if a more politically-correct phrase were used such as “mentally challenged?” 🙂
Once again, FIDE has managed to make ruling which contradicts themselves. First they ruled it was OK for Short to characterize the behavior of FDIE officials as being highly questionable ethically, morally and legally. The FIDE ruling felt that this was a matter of opinion and therefore free speech. Yet, in the second ruling, they felt “dunderhead” crossed some line and was not covered by free speech. Typical FIDE – first issue one set of rules then contradict with a second set of rules, then when people complain and point out the idiocy, they issue a third set which contradicts the first two sets!
This is just one more reason why Chess should NOT be in the Olympics. The IOC is the only international sporting body which can make FIDE look transparent, fair and consistent in its dealings. 🙂
I don’t think there is any contradiction.
FIDE are saying that Nigel Short is entitled to criticise FIDE and its appointed committees provided he stays within the norms of free speech and sticks with the facts.
But FIDE are not happy about what could be seen as an insult to an individual, especially an insulting comment which is not necessarily correct.
If Mr. Azmai… was not stupid, but was using his intelligence in an unethical way, FIDE’s judgement would be consistent – and this may be the case.
Another example: criticising a players’ choice of moves or negotiations about the playing conditions of a match is one thing. Pointing out that they are overweight, wear too much makeup or have no sense of humour would be in the ‘personal category’, like ‘dunderhead’, and would be unacceptable.
FIDE’s ruling is competent assuming FIDE vice president Zurab Azmaiparashvili is not a dunderhead. However, they didn’t state they made this assumption. Perhaps FIDE vice president Zurab Azmaiparashvili is a dunderhead, in which case Nigel Short would be correct and justified in making that observation. After all Zurab Azmaiparashvili appeared to handle the World Championship problems with high incompetence! Mark