Malky Mackay's alleged text messages sent to Iain Moody have been excused as "friendly banter" by the League Managers' Association.
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In the most ill-conceived statement since Liverpool's response to Luis Suárez's racism ban, the LMA said former Cardiff manager Mackay was "under great pressure and when he was letting off steam" when he sent the offensive messages.
"In the course of a search by the Club in early 2014 of 10,000 private text messages sent to and from another member of staff during Mr Mackay’s employment at Cardiff, in relation to other matters, it emerged that Malky had, it seems, sent a couple of one line texts that were, with the benefit of hindsight, very regrettable and disrespectful of other cultures. These were two text messages sent in private at a time Malky felt under great pressure and when he was letting off steam to a friend during some friendly text message banter. That said, Malky believes he could and should have conducted himself better on these two isolated occasions. The precise details need to remain private for the time being until any FA process is complete."
Twitter has reacted scathingly...