Whelan apology 'half-hearted', says Jewish body

The main representative body of British Jews has called Wigan chairman Dave Whelan's comments "outrageous" and labelled his apology as "half-hearted".

The Board of Deputies of British Jews vice-president Jonathan Arkush said in a statement: "Dave Whelan's comments about Jews are outrageous and offensive, and bring the club and the game into disrepute.

"His half-hearted apology does not go far enough. You cannot insult a whole group of people, and then say, 'I would never insult them', and hope that's OK.

"We need to see a proper apology and full recognition of the offence caused. Whelan, in his role as chair of a football club, has a responsibility to set the tone for both his players and supporters. Racism and anti-Semitism will prevail on and off the pitch if it's acceptable and unchallenged in the boardroom.

"We will be taking up the matter with the Football Association and Kick It Out."

• Read: Whelan is not a racist says former Wigan manager