Malky Mackay

Quoted Text

We had not intended to comment on matters which have been reported in the press over the last two days in relation to Malky Mackay and Iain Moody. However, following the statement released by the LMA last night we feel compelled to respond.

The LMA is the representative voice of managers, and whilst we understand it seeks to act in the best interests of its members, one of its major aims is to "encourage honourable practice, conduct and courtesy in all professional activity”.

Regrettably, we feel that the LMA has done no such thing in its representation of Mr Mackay and Mr Moody. The LMA were aware of the allegations from the morning of the search order, and their lawyers acted for Mr Mackay and Mr Moody throughout the legal process.

That the LMA has sought to criticise the Club for the timing of the report to the FA is preposterous, because the offensive communications have been in the knowledge and possession of the LMA for many months. When the messages came to light, over three months ago, the Club strongly encouraged and advised Mr Moody and Mr Mackay to deal with the issue directly with the FA.

It was made clear to them, and their LMA appointed lawyers, that the nature of the communications meant the Club was under a duty to report their findings to the FA if they did not take appropriate action themselves. Nevertheless, with the backing of the LMA, Mr Moody and Mr Mackay chose to do nothing. The LMA were therefore complicit in the attempt to conceal these messages (of which there were many more than the two isolated texts acknowledged by Mr Mackay).

We also point out that the LMA members have a ‘Code of Conduct’ incorporated into their managerial contracts. One of the requirements is “A Manager shall not use racist or other discriminatory language. A Manager’s behaviour should demonstrate to Players and other employees under his control that discrimination in any form is unacceptable.”

We therefore find it entirely reprehensible that the LMA should itself put out a statement which seeks to dismiss deeply offensive racist comments as 'friendly banter'.

If that is the view held by the LMA, as appears from its statement, we consider that Richard Bevan’s position is untenable and we call for his resignation.

Quoted from Dan

So because you make bigoted comments you shouldn't be able to get employment? Obviously what they've said reflects badly on them, but unless there's evidence their words translated into genuine discrimination, I'd say they should be able to work wherever they want. Even BNP members have jobs afterall.

Although I certainly don't agree with what they've written, and would never write something like that myself, what is essentially private communication should stay just that.

Quoted from Welwynmariner

Unfortunately most of this is irrelevant

Whether they made these comments on private mobile phones or from personal e-mail accounts is irrelevant because they were made whilst in the course of their employment at Cardiff.

Can you be put in a position of considerable responsibility if you talk about people in this way? Surely the answer is "not in the 21st century"?

Quoted from Maringer

Of course, they always have the option of being less stupidly bigoted?

Let's face it, from the 'witty banter' which has been leaked, neither really sounds as though they are the Brain of Britain.

In any case, I can't see how any black/asian player could trust Mackay if he were to become manager of their team now. Probably just about finished his managerial career then and there.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

If the comments were made verbally or even by personal text/email from and to a personal account then there could be a case for doing what you say. It is still dodgy ground though for a manager whose own association says that racial and discriminatory comment is a no-no. Ron Atkinson for example was finished in football for his comment which he didn't know was public at the time.

It probably was banter, the sort of lad's stuff you hear in the pub, but it was incredibly stupidly done.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

The theory is fine and I agree with it. The reality is that this "banter" goes on all over the shop from football to banking. The same thing will be heard in pubs, clubs, dressing rooms, bookies .......... every day of the week, 2014 or not. Their stupid part was doing it in a way that inevitably came back to bite them - i.e. they got caught, they left an evidence trail. Electronics makes it easier to communicate these days but it also makes it easier to track. As a youth I was always taught to never put anything in writing that you might have to apologise for.

Quoted from Welwynmariner

Well - that's not my reality. He could have said (for example) "X is an untrustworthy ****", if that was what his dealings with X had shown, but including references to ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion simply isn't something you can do in 2014.

Even the Fishy edits my use of the word indicated by **** so that bit of banter isn't allowed here.