Jewish organisations ‘disappointed’ after FA take no action over racist text messages
Jewish organisation’s have expressed their “disappointment” after the Football Association revealed they won’t be taking any disciplinary action against former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay over racist text messages he sent to former head of recruitment Iain Moody.
The FA released a statement on Thursday which said no further action will be taken over a series of racist and sexist text messages exchanged between the pair, which included Mackay texting about Jewish football agent Phil Smith, writing: “Go on, fat Phil. Nothing like a Jew that sees money slipping through his fingers”.
The Community Security Trust took to twitter to voice their disappointment, saying: “We are disappointed that FA will take no action v Mackay/Moody, inconsistent with previous zero tolerance approach.”
The Jewish Leadership Council were of the same opinion, with Simon Johnson, the JLC’s Chief Executive, saying: “We are disappointed that the FA has decided not to charge Malky Mackay with any offence. This decision seems at odds with the positive interventions that the FA made in the cases of Dave Whelan and Mario Balotelli last season.
“If the FA is determined to have a zero tolerance attitude to racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and discrimination of any kind, then it is not sustainable to create a distinction between private messages and public comments.
“I call upon the FA to review its disciplinary procedures and to rethink this inconsistent approach.”
The FA, which became aware of the messages in August 2014, said it had spoken to both Mackay and Moody about the inappropriate nature of the language used, but deemed that the messages were sent “with a legitimate expectation of privacy”.
The FA statement said: “The FA has undertaken a thorough and detailed investigation in connection with inappropriate language contained within text messages and an email sent by Iain Moody, and text messages sent by Malky Mackay when they were employed by Cardiff City FC. To date, the FA’s policy in cases such as this has been to not bring charges in respect of private communications sent with a legitimate expectation of privacy.
“The FA’s investigation looked at all aspects of the communications, including the context in which the communications were sent. The evidence was then reviewed by a QC with particular expertise in sports’ disciplinary proceedings and employment law. Having assessed the evidence, and in light of the finding that the communications were sent with a legitimate expectation of privacy, the FA will not be taking disciplinary action against Iain Moody and Malky Mackay in connection with the content of those messages.
“However, the FA has spoken to both Iain Moody and Malky Mackay about the inappropriateness of terms used in the messages. Both individuals have acknowledged that such terms are not acceptable. Mr Mackay has also voluntarily undertaken equality and diversity training.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
