FA To Investigate Whelan Comments

The Football Association has confirmed it will investigate comments made by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan.

Whelan has already apologised for an interview he gave to The Guardian, which contained quotes that have been widely condemned as anti-Semitic.

The comments followed Whelan’s decision to appoint Malky Mackay as Wigan manager, despite the fact Mackay’s conduct during his time at Cardiff is the subject of an ongoing FA investigation.

The investigation concerns allegedly offensive text messages sent by Mackay, one of which referred to Jewish football agent Phil Smith and appeared to imply that a Jewish person would be more perturbed at losing money than non-Jews.

The FA will now write to Whelan and ask him for his observations.

Jewish Leadership Council chief executive Simon Johnson, a former FA and Premier League executive, has urged the governing body to prove “they are determined to kick racism out of football’ with an in-depth investigation”.

Johnson feels the comments amount to anti-Semitism and told Sky Sports News HQ: "I want the FA to look into this as a matter of urgency and to make sure it is not swept under the carpet to show that they are determined to kick racism out of football.

"Unfortunately these type of comments by Mr Whelan and Mr Mackay are using some of the worst old-fashioned, lazy and offensive racial stereotypes which have been used in the past as the basis for some quite vile anti-Semitism."

Meanwhile, former Wigan boss and current Hull manager Steve Bruce has leapt to the defence of Whelan.

"Maybe sitting on the fence might be the easiest thing to do but I've worked under Dave Whelan twice - I know him very, very well," said Bruce.

"There's no racism in him at all. Sometimes words can be said which can be misplaced, they can be out there in the public domain, but certainly when I've worked with him there's been no sign of racism.

"He is without question one of the best chairmen I've worked for. What you see is what you get."