Cardiff City have called for the resignation of League Manager's Association (LMA) chairman Richard Bevan.
The club described the LMA's initial statement in defence of the club's former manager Malky Mackay – in which the LMA defended seemingly racist text messages from Mackay as ‘friendly banter’ -as “reprehensible".
The FA are investigating Mackay and ex-colleague Iain Moody in relation to messages alleged to be racist, sexist and homophobic in nature. The information, along with information related to Cardiff City transfers, was provided to the FA in a dossier by club owner Vincent Tan.
Mackay has a[apologised for sending messages that were “disrespectful of other cultures”.
The LMA has today apologised for some of its wording in last night's statement and removed the statement from its website. A second statement, this time an apology for the initial apology, read: “The LMA apologises for some of its wording, in its release yesterday, which was inappropriate and has been perceived to trivialise matters of a racist, sexist or homophobic nature. That was certainly not our intention.
“It is beyond argument that any comments that are discriminatory, even used in private, are totally unacceptable. The LMA remains absolutely aware of our responsibility to the game and to promote and uphold the highest standards of behaviour."
Cardiff City said in a statement on the official club website:
“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.
“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."
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