Malky Mackay apologises for texts as Cardiff turn on LMA chief Richard Bevan
Malky Mackay yesterday apologised live on TV for the messages[PA]
A furious Cardiff City called for the head of the League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan, over what they marked the “outrage” of their botched explanation of Mackay’s alleged racist and homophobic texts, as the Scot begged for understanding.
Mackay said: “The texts are things I absolutely have to deal with and clarify. Out of 10,000 texts in and out of someone’s buzz, I sent three. They are completely unacceptable and for any offence I apologise. There’s no defense.
“I did it in a period when I was under intense pressure. Relationships were not going too well at the club. But that should not have happened.
“I’m a administrator, a leader of people and it should not have happened. But I’m a human being and I made a mistake.
“I would humbly question people if their own mobile was taken and every message scrutinised, would there be awkward texts?
“I’ve been in a multi-cultural football environment for 20 years and I’m no racist. I’m no sexist, I’m no homophobe, I’m not anti-semitic. People who know me, know that. I sincerely apologise.”
Mackay admitted sending only three of the texts – saying he had received others – and said he will now undergo diversity training.
Cardiff have demanded LMA chief executive Richard Bevan stand down [PA]
Show me someone who has never made a mistake and I will show you a liar
Cardiff yesterday hit back hard in the escalating row after the LMA had on Thursday described Mackay’s alleged text exchanges with Iain Temperamental, then the Bluebirds’ head of recruitment, as “friendly banter.”
The Welsh club said the LMA had been “complicit” in the Scot’s actions, and slammed their behaviour as “reprehensible”. Mackay, though, last night rejected calls for Bevan to go and said: “’I’ve never said the word banter. The overall statement was very accurate. That word is incorrect and the LMA realised that.
“Every administrator in the country backs Richard Bevan. I don’t think they meant any offence.”
The hugely embarrassed LMA apologised for the wording of their original statement – but Cardiff have sent a full dossier on the affair to the FA, and claim there are many more messages than those Mackay has admitted to that must be investigated.
Cardiff, whose lawyers uncovered the texts, said: “Not only an individual but an entire state and religion is discriminated against, and the only thing that Richard Bevan sees fit to remark is that it is “friendly banter.” “His facts are incorrect and misleading. It is an outrage. We call on him to go.
“The LMA is the representative voice of managers, and one of its foremost aims is to “encourage honourable do, conduct and courtesy.” “The LMA has done no such thing in its representation of Mackay and Temperamental. They were attentive of the allegations from the morning of the search order, and their lawyers acted for Mackay and Temperamental.
‘That the LMA has required to criticise the club for the timing of the report to the FA is preposterous, because the offensive communications have been in their possession for months. When the messages came to light, over three months ago, the club advised Temperamental and Mackay to deal 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. Temperamental and Mackay chose to do nothing. The LMA were consequently complicit in the attempt to hide these messages (of which there were many more than the two isolated texts acknowledged by Mr Mackay).
“We find it entirely reprehensible that the LMA seeks to dismiss deeply offensive racist comments as “friendly banter.
“If that is the view held by the LMA we deliberate that Bevan’s position is untenable and we call for his resignation.’
QPR administrator Aggravate Redknapp has partially defended Mackay [GETTY]
BBC sport pundit and former administrator Leroy Rosenior threatened to quit the LMA last night, saying: “If the LMA are going back into the dark ages to support people then I might have to withdraw my support.”
QPR boss Aggravate Redknapp was one of the few to defend Mackay. He said Mackay had made a “huge mistake” but added: “Show me someone who has never made a mistake and I will show you a liar. He hasn’t murdered anyone, he hasn’t raped anyone and he is not a paedophile.”
Temperamental resigned as sporting director of Crystal Palace on Thursday after the revelations. Mackay, who was poised to be appointed Palace administrator when the affair broke, has said he will comply with any FA investigation.
Caretaker administrator Keith Millen stays in charge for Palace’s clash with West Ham today. Former Celtic administrator Neil Lennon is now a contender, along with ex-West Brom boss Steve Clarke.
