Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan was charged by the Football Association on Thursday after allegedly making racially insensitive remarks in an interview with a British newspaper. "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," the FA said in a statement.
"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." In an interview with The Guardian, Whelan defended his appointment of manager Malky Mackay, who is being investigated over claims he sent racist and anti-Semitic text messages to a colleague during his time at Cardiff City.