Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan Charged: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has been investigated and charged by the FA after being accused of antisemitism regarding recent comments made in relation to his hiring of manager Malky Mackay. Whelan accepted the FA's charges. 

Continue for updates.

Friday, Dec. 12

Whelan Accepts FA Charge

Sky Sports reported an update on Whelan's response to the charges:

Friday, Dec. 5

Whelan Under FA Scrutiny Again

BBC reports Whelan is being looked into by the FA once again:

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The FA says it is looking into fresh comments made by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan about Chinese people.

Whelan, 78, told the Jewish Telegraph  he used to refer to a local Chinese restaurant as "chingalings".

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Thursday, Nov. 27

Whelan Charged by FA

TheFA.com's Staff announced Whelan's charge on its official website:

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It is alleged the Wigan Athletic chairman breached FA Rule E3[1] in that his comments were abusive and/or insulting and/or constitute improper conduct and/or bring the game into disrepute. 

It is further alleged that this is an ‘Aggravated Breach’ as defined by FA Rule E3[2] as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief. 

Mr Whelan has until 6pm on 5 December 2014 to respond to the charge.

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Wednesday, Nov. 26

FA Releases Statement on Whelan

The FA released a statement on Dave Whelan as the FA investigates his comments:

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The FA will now consider Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan’s observations in relation to his recent comments, having received them by today’s 6pm deadline.

The FA will make no further comment at this time.

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Saturday, Nov. 22

Whelan Claims He'll Quit if Found Guilty

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan claimed he would resign his position if the FA found him guilty of racism, according to BBC Radio Manchester:

Friday, Nov. 21

FA Releases Statement on Whelan Comments

The FA released a statement on Friday to address Whelan's recent comments, promising a full investigation on its official website:

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The FA is 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.

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Vincent Tan Responds to Whelan Comments

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan has responded to Whelan's comments regarding him, according to the BBC:

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Whelan has denied being racist, but Tan said: "I think he insulted the dignity of all Jewish people. I think he insulted the dignity of Chinese."

"This is a racist chairman hiring a racist manager," Tan told BBC Sport's David Ornstein. "I hope that stops at two racists in Wigan, not snowballing to 2,000 or 20,000 racists in Wigan."

[...]

Anti-racism campaigner Kick It Out has already questioned whether Whelan is a "fit and proper person" to run a football club.

Tan agrees with Kick It Out.

"Age doesn't matter in this," he said. "The fact is he's a leader of a big football club, he's sending the wrong message to the followers and supporters in the club, he's telling them it's all right to be a racist.

"Do you think that is proper? So I am asking whether he is fit and proper to be chairman of a football club in the UK for what he has said."

Asked if he though Whelan should be removed from his position, Tan responded: "I think the FA should take action, but I'll leave it to the FA."

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Tan also commented on the hiring of controversial manager Malky Mackay, per the BBC:

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Tan also says Whelan is wrong to have hired Mackay before the FA's investigation into the Scot is complete.

"Appointing Malky Mackay is not good for Wigan's image and for Mr Whelan's image, in view of the fact that the FA is investigating this and no decision has been made yet," said Tan.

He is also concerned that Whelan seems to think the FA are unlikely to take action against Mackay.

"If that is true and if the FA is taking this matter lightly, I must say I am very disappointed," said Tan. "The FA must understand that the whole world is watching."

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Thursday, Nov. 20

Whelan Comments Draw Criticism

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan is under fire for his response to criticism for hiring Malky Mackay as the club's new manager. Mackay is the subject of an ongoing investigation for alleged racism found in messages during his time at Cardiff City.

David Conn of the Guardian reports Whelan downplayed the impact of Mackay's remarks. They included comments about a Jewish agent, a South Korean player and his club's Malaysian owner. The chairman elaborated about why he didn't find issue with the seemingly antisemitic messages.

"Do you think Jewish people chase money a little bit more than we do? I think they are very shrewd people," he said. "I think Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else. I don't think that's offensive at all."

He went on to explain that people of any race don't like losing money. But that hasn't been enough to calm the firestorm that's followed.

Whelan also told the Guardian he was told by two "influential people" at the Football Association that the investigation into Mackay will not lead to any punishment. He also explained to BBC Sport the club is protected by the contract should that outlook change.

Rob Harris of the Associated Press provides comments from Whelan, who spoke about the allegations:

Sam Wallace of The Independent wonders who gave the Wigan chairman information about the case because the FA is giving off a different tone:

The FA provided an update on the situation on its official site:

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We wish to make it clear The FA investigation into the conduct of Malky Mackay and Iain Moody remains ongoing and no assurances have been given by The FA as to the outcome of this case.

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It called the situation a "complex investigation" and gave no timetable for a decision on whether or not to charge Mackay. There will be no further comment on the issue at the current time.

Harris also passes along a statement from the organization Kick It Out:

Whelan will now have to explain his comments.