' IF I'M CHARGED I WILL RESIGN '

Saturday 22nd November 2014

Dave Whelan has warned he will resign as chairman of Wigan if the Football Association punishes him for the controversy which has seen him labelled "a racist" by Cardiff owner Vincent Tan.

The FA has said its investigation into Whelan's comments about Jewish and Chinese people will be treated "as a priority".

It has written to the 77-year-old to seek his take on events.

Whelan spoke out in a newspaper interview where he was defending his decision to hire former Cardiff boss Malky Mackay and has since apologised.

Mackay was recruited by Wigan despite being under investigation by the FA for allegedly sending racist and anti-semitic texts, and Whelan responded to criticism by telling The Guardian: "I think Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else."

He also said he did not view the word "c***k" - the term by which Mackay allegedly referred to Tan in a text message - as offensive.

Whelan told : "If the FA look into my affairs - and they were to find me guilty, which I hope they don't and I don't see anything like that happening because I'm absolutely anti-racist, always have been, always will be - however, if they have any questions I'm willing to answer it and, should they even suggest I'm guilty I would immediately resign from my position as chairman of Wigan Athletic."

Mackay has also denied being racist.

Malaysian businessman Tan, who sacked Mackay last December, told Sky Sports News on Friday: "Can you imagine if Mr Whelan was the head of the FA? Here we have a racist chairman hiring a racist manager. All the fans in Wigan now think it's okay to be racist.

"They follow the leader. So, how will the FA respond to this? I personally hope the FA is not a toothless regulator in this matter.

"What are Jewish and Chinese people thinking of the UK today? Action must be taken because the world is watching."

The FA said in its statement on Friday: "We are very concerned to read about the comments that have been attributed to Dave Whelan. We take all forms of discrimination seriously.

"As with all such cases, this will be dealt with as a priority. The investigation is already under way and the FA's governance division have written to Mr Whelan. He has three working days to respond."

If whelan resigned from Wigan that will be the end of them

So he makes offensive racist and anti semitic comments and then threatens to resign if he's charged?

Resign then you dinosaur.

Who gives a shit? Who does he think he is?

Honestly - the self importance and arrogance of some people knows absolutely no bounds.

If whelan resigned from Wigan that will be the end of them

Why would it be the end of them? plenty of potential investors interested in buying into football clubs according to some on this MB, haven't I read that as soon as Tan sells up we'll all be as happy as pigs in shit with the new investors, surely some investors will be ready to step into the void Wheelan's departure would create.

Then Tan will want to takeover so he can sack Malky again.

Then Tan will want to takeover so he can sack Malky again.

I like your thought process

If whelan resigned from Wigan that will be the end of them

Resigning as chairman doesn't mean he will sell the club. They will still have his financial backing.

Another ego like malky, I can do what I want or else. Sounds like the hull chairman.

Another ego like malky, I can do what I want or else. Sounds like the hull chairman.

Or another ego like our owner red or dead

If whelan resigned from Wigan that will be the end of them

Why would it be the end of them? plenty of potential investors interested in buying into football clubs according to some on this MB, haven't I read that as soon as Tan sells up we'll all be as happy as pigs in shit with the new investors, surely some investors will be ready to step into the void Wheelan's departure would create.

Why would he still back them with his money if he resigned as chairmen Whelan runs everything top to bottom he's run his club properly when it comes to money who would buy they don't actually sell out every week they didn't in the pl Wigan are not a big club when it comes to a following but that's not there faultas they are in a rugby league town and most fan either go to Liverpool or Man United

So he makes offensive racist and anti semitic comments and then threatens to resign if he's charged?

Resign then you dinosaur.

Who gives a shit? Who does he think he is?

Honestly - the self importance and arrogance of some people knows absolutely no bounds.

All I'm saying is that without Whelan Wigan might not survive without his backing they not that well supported at the best of times he's made a mistake Whelan as done more good than harm over the years when it comes to football

Good, resign, get out. I don't want people like this having any type of influence in the game I love

#kickitout

Good, resign, get out. I don't want people like this having any type of influence in the game I love

#kickitout

I don't either but I think there's far worse than him about in the game you love .if he hadn't signed mm he wouldn't have got caught up in all this crap but that his fault but I think he is a decent bloke .just for you to know I love the game as well

Another ego like malky, I can do what I want or else. Sounds like the hull chairman.

Or another ego like our owner red or dead

Didn't realise Tan said that lol

Well I hope he isn't charged then.
Good bloke, Whelan.

Well I hope he isn't charged then.
Good bloke, Whelan.

I like him I think he's old school and said it without being racist just not realising how full on it is

Well I hope he isn't charged then.
Good bloke, Whelan.

I like him I think he's old school and said it without being racist just not realising how full on it is

He might had the club over to his son ???

In fairness bar him appointing Malky I have always considered Whelan when he wants to be a bit of media whore and prefer it when he doesn't go media hunting.