Cardiff want LMA chief Richard Bevan to resign

Cardiff have called for the resignation of League Managers' Association chief Richard Bevan after the organisation described offensive text messages sent by Malky Mackay as "friendly banter".


Friday 22nd Aug 2014

Malky Mackay texts: Cardiff want LMA chief Richard Bevan to resign

Cardiff have called for the resignation of League Managers' Association chief Richard Bevan after the organisation described offensive text messages sent by Malky Mackay as "friendly banter".
The LMA apologised after provoking criticism from anti-discrimination campaigners over its statement.
However, Cardiff maintain that Bevan's position is now untenable.
The FA are investigating Mackay's comments as part of a dossier submitted by Cardiff alleging misconduct.
"We find it entirely reprehensible that the LMA should put out a statement which seeks to dismiss deeply offensive racist comments as 'friendly banter'," the club said in a statement.
"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 club also accused the LMA of failing to fulfil its duties.
"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'," Cardiff said.
"Regrettably, we feel that the LMA has done no such thing in its representation of Mr Mackay and Mr Moody."
In its latest statement on Friday, the LMA said it "apologises for some of its wording which was inappropriate and has been perceived to trivialise matters of a racist, sexist or homophobic nature".
"It is beyond argument that any comments that are discriminatory, even used in private, are totally unacceptable," the statement continued.
"The LMA remains absolutely aware of our responsibility to the game and to promote and uphold the highest standards of behaviour."
Mackay, who lost his job at Cardiff in December, was thought to be favourite for the vacant manager's job at Crystal Palace until the story emerged.
He says he will fully co-operate with any FA investigation and "looks forward to putting the record straight".
Moody resigned as Crystal Palace sporting director on Thursday, but has yet to comment on the story.
He was sacked as Cardiff's head of player recruitment last October after a row with owner Vincent Tan over transfer activity and joined Palace a month later.

CLUB STATEMENT

PUBLISHED

11:40 22nd August 2014


We had not intended to comment on matters which have been reported in the press over the last two days in relation to Malky Mackay and Iain Moody. However, following the statement released by the LMA last night we feel compelled to respond.

The LMA is the representative voice of managers, and whilst we understand it seeks to act in the best interests of its members, 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. The LMA were aware of the allegations from the morning of the search order, and their lawyers acted for Mr Mackay and Mr Moody throughout the legal process.

That the LMA has sought to criticise the Club for the timing of the report to the FA is preposterous, because the offensive communications have been in the knowledge and possession of the LMA for many months. When the messages came to light, over three months ago, the Club strongly encouraged and advised Mr Moody and Mr Mackay to deal with the issue 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 themselves. Nevertheless, with the backing of the LMA, Mr Moody and Mr Mackay chose to do nothing. The LMA were therefore complicit in the attempt to conceal these messages (of which there were many more than the two isolated texts acknowledged by Mr Mackay).

We also point out that the LMA members have a ‘Code of Conduct’ incorporated into their managerial contracts. One of the requirements is “A Manager shall not use racist or other discriminatory language. A Manager’s behaviour should demonstrate to Players and other employees under his control that discrimination in any form is unacceptable.”

We therefore find it entirely reprehensible that the LMA should itself 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.

[ENDS]

Read more at http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/art ... EtelAtO.99

Think the club handels this mess very profesional, well done

LMA got into the wrong sticks! So unprofessional and defended malky in the wrong context. Just like some on here

Dare I say it, are the club changing their act and becoming professionaly run?

Will be interesting to see how this plays out & what the other messages Malky is supposed to be involved in. This is one massive fuk up

Did anyone see what was said on SSN? Pretty sure I heard it right, but it said the club only found out about the texts 3 months ago!

Surely then, Malky and Moody were sacked for different reasons back last year if the racist texts were found way after?

It's not just Malky and Moody who are fucked, it's Bevan and the LMA now.

The LMA is just a trade union. Setup to serve the agenda of its members regardless of the situation or the detriment it may serve others.

Defending Malky is deplorable and so is not taking racism by a person who is in a position of trust seriously.

If a teacher did this, they'd be slammed, if a police officer did this they'd be slammed, a football manager does it... just banter mate.

Nothing to be surprised about though, football, the game above the law

The LMA statement was a disgrace, seems Malky is just digging and digging.

Well done our club though, professional and strong statement, they should take this as far as possible now.

i said on the other thread, what would the LMA's stance be if it was an owner who wrote racist texts against a black manager?

would that be classed as 'banter"? would it be ok as owners operate under 'stressful conditions'?

of course not. be consistent, thats what i say.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," Mr Tan.

StT.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," Mr Tan.

StT.

What is that supposed to mean?

Dare I say it, are the club changing their act and becoming professionaly run?

I doubt it as you will find out when the next set of accounts are published!

But seriously, think about it. Tan is going to make sure that every I and T is dotted and crossed with this one. He knows he's got Malky, Moody and even the LMA, and I bet he's got the best in too ensure none of them get off the hook! Mackay and Moody are finished thats for sure, it remains to be seen now whether he also manages to take down their Union!

Did anyone see what was said on SSN? Pretty sure I heard it right, but it said the club only found out about the texts 3 months ago!

Surely then, Malky and Moody were sacked for different reasons back last year if the racist texts were found way after?

believe it was 8mnths that incidents happened but only recently got solid proof????

Dare I say it, are the club changing their act and becoming professionaly run?

No they are the biggest laughing stock in football.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," Mr Tan.

StT.

What is that supposed to mean?

it means Steve is a very confused young man