THE League Managers Association have this evening defended Malky Mackay - saying the former Cardiff boss was guilty of nothing more than "friendly text message banter".
Crystal Palace reportedly pulled out of a deal to make Mackay their new boss yesterday, after newspaper reports revealed a dossier of evidence sent by Cardiff to the FA included alleged racist, sexist and homophobic texts sent by Mackay and ex-Cardiff director of football Iain Moody.
Despite widespread condemnation from the football world, the LMA said in a statement released on Thursday night that Mackay had "sent a couple of one line texts that were, with the benefit of hindsight, very regrettable and disrespectful of other cultures."
The statement continued: "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."
It later goes on to say: "If Malky has caused any offence by these two isolated matters he would, however, wish to sincerely apologise.
"Malky finds it strange that these matters were only raised with the FA and in the media now, 8 months after his employment ended and the day before he was reported as being offered the opportunity to become manager of Crystal Palace FC."
