LONDON: The League Managers Association has apologised for the nature of its apology in the Mackay/Moody controversy but that has not been adequate for Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Mackay was dropped from contention for the manager’s job at Crystal Palace and Moody resigned as the club’s sporting director after publication of messages between them of a racist, sexist and homophobic nature.

Initially the LMA, in a clumsy attempt to pour oil on troubled waters, described the comments as “banter”. That exacerbated the issue and attracted a storm of derision.

Now the LMA as issued a clarifying statement, saying: “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.

“The LMA will not be commenting further on the allegations relating to Malky Mackay whilst The FA conducts its investigation, other than to repeat that both the LMA and Malky will be cooperating fully.

“We will continue to work with all of the game’s stakeholders to address the important issues of respect and discriminatory behaviour in all its forms.”

This statement was not enough for Tan who hit back with demanding that Richard Bevan quit as ceo of the LMA.

Cardiff’s retaliatory comment read: “We find it entirely reprehensible that the LMA should 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.

“The LMA is the representative voice of managers, and 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.”

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