***WIGAN ATHLETIC OWNER’S APOLOGY FOR ANTISEMITIC REMARKS*** Wigan Athletic FC has hired a new manager, Malky Mackay, who is currently under investigation by the Football Association for a series of racist, homophobic and misogynist text messages sent whilst he was at Cardiff City FC. One text, about a football agent, read: “Go on, fat Phil. Nothing like a Jew that sees money slipping through his fingers”. Defending the selection of Mr Mackay as Wigan’s new manager, club owner Dave Whelan, explained: “The Jews don’t like losing money. Nobody likes losing money.” He then added: “I think Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else. I don’t think that’s offensive at all.” A few hours later he had a change of heart and apologised, saying: “I would never insult a Jewish person. I have got hundreds and hundreds of Jewish friends. I hold them in the highest regard. If anyone takes offence please accept my apologies. I did not mean to insult any single person.” Sponsors have been deserting the club, and Mr Whelan is now also the subject of an FA investigation, so some might question the sincerity of his sudden change of attitude. We have all heard the protestation of some of my best friends are Jewish before. Kick it Out, which counters racism in football, has strongly condemned Mr Whelan’s statements. This case will be an interesting trial of the FA’s fairness and resolve.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 08:30:20 +0000