Critics slam English FA for Mackay discrimination case whitewash

Lord Ousely

July 17 – A case involving alleged anti-semitism, sexism and homophobia and which lasted 11 months has finally been resolved, though with an immediate backlash, after English football authorities announced no disciplinary action will be taken against former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay.

Mackay and a former colleague Iain Moody, who was Cardiff’s head of recruitment, exchanged texts and emails that were then made public, leading to Mackay’s widely expected appointment as manager of Crystal Palace being abandoned.

The FA said it had carried out a “thorough” investigation into the language used in the messages and found “the communications were sent with a legitimate expectation of privacy”. No charges were therefore brought.

During the investigation, 27 witnesses were spoken to but anti-discrimination group Kick It Out was critical of the decision.

Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley (pictured) told the BBC: “The issue here is not now about Malky Mackay and Iain Moody, it’s about the principle of where does the FA stand on these issues, along with the rest involved in football? There is no standard when it comes to flushing out discrimination at the top end in football.”

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