Kick It Out: Wigan 'disregarded' FA Mackay investigation

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Malky Mackay and Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan Credit: PA Images

Wigan have been accused of disregarding the Football Association's investigation into Malky Mackay by appointing the Scot as their new manager.

The Championship club have announced the former Cardiff boss will succeed Uwe Rosler despite Mackay being still investigated by the FA in relation to claims he sent text messages of a homophobic, racist and sexist nature to former colleague Iain Moody while at Cardiff.

Football's anti-discrimination body Kick It Out has questioned the appointment from Mackay.

A Kick It Out statement said: "The FA began investigating in August alleged racist, anti-Semitic, sexist and homophobic comments made by Malky Mackay and Iain Moody, and we are still yet to hear whether this is near to reaching its conclusion almost three months on. Where does the case now lie and how close are we to seeing whether the FA will take the appropriate action?

"Wigan Athletic have disregarded the ongoing investigation being undertaken by the FA, and any potential punishment Mackay may face, by taking the decision to appoint him. We need to see leadership, and a respect for the processes in place, shown by football club owners to demonstrate how seriously they take tackling issues of exclusion, prejudice and discrimination."

Kick It Out called on the FA so clarify whether it is happy with Wigan's action.

It added: "It remains to be seen if Wigan's position is one which the FA and all of football's so-called 'family' are happy with. The FA now needs to move swiftly to let everybody know whether they agree with Wigan's position or whether they will reinforce their own zero-tolerance stance on all such matters of equality and diversity.

"It is essential high levels of conduct are maintained by those in positions of power such as club owners, boardroom officials, chief executives, managers, coaches and players, and we expect The FA, the Premier League, the Football League, the Professional Footballers' Association and the League Managers Association to ensure these standards are upheld at all times."