League Managers Association apologises for badly worded statement over Malky Mackay

The League Managers Association have issued an apology for their poorly-worded statement written on behalf of shamed Malky Mackay as the full scale of the texts he sent has emerged.

The LMA released the statement on behalf of the former Cardiff manager on Thursday night in the wake of revelations in the Daily Mail investigation into allegations of racist, sexist and homophobic texts exchanged between the 42-year-old Scot and and Iain Moody when they worked together at the Welsh club.

The initial statement said Mackay had been under pressure at the time of the messages and that he was 'letting off steam to a friend during some friendly text message banter'

That statement has been widely criticised by anti-discrimination campaigners within the game, and the LMA, in a shambolic fashion, felt compelled to apologise for how the first release had been worded.

'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,' the statement read.

'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 new LMA statement concluded: 'The LMA will not be commenting further on the allegations relating to Malky Mackay whilst the Football Association conducts its investigation, other than to repeat that both the LMA and Malky will be co-operating 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.'

Cardiff were also upset with the initial statement by the LMA.

Current Cardiff manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, says he has not encountered any form of racism during his time in football.

Solskjaer, speaking at his press conference ahead of Saturday's Championship game at Wolves, refused to comment on the specifics of the Mackay case.

But Solskjaer said: 'From my experience I had no problem in my dressing rooms at Man United or Molde.

'We all have opinions and I think people know my stand on it. I will discuss mine in due time but I know if I say what happens, if I say something, it will create headlines.

'I don't want to say anything to take my focus away from the players.'

Some of the texts revealed:

'Fkn chinkys. Fk it. There's enough dogs in Cardiff for us all to go around.'

On the arrival of South Korean international Kim Bo-Kyung

'Go on, fat Phil. Nothing like a Jew that sees money slipping through his fingers'

On football agent Phil Smith

'He's a snake, a gay snake. Not to be trusted'

On an official of another club

'Not many white faces amongst that lot but worth considering.'

On a list of potential signings

'I hope she's looking after your needs. I bet you'd love a bounce on her falsies.'

On a player's female agent

A picture entitled Black Monopoly (where every square was a "Go to Jail" square)

Sent to members of Cardiff's staff

JB