Football: Wigan chairman Whelan charged over remarks
The FA confirmed last week that its investigation into Mackay's actions at Cardiff is ongoing.
LONDON (AFP) - 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 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 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.
Referring to remarks allegedly made by Mackay, Whelan was quoted as saying it was "nothing" to call a Chinese person a "chink" and also said: "Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else."
He subsequently apologised for any offence caused and declared that he was not a racist, but has vowed that he will "immediately resign" as chairman of second-tier Wigan if found guilty by the FA.
Whelan s comments saw him branded a "racist" by Cardiff s Malaysian owner Vincent Tan, who sacked Mackay last December.
