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Malky Mackay appointment: Premier Range to end sponsorship of Wigan shirts

Image: Malky Mackay: New Wigan manager took training on Thursday

One of Wigan’s shirt sponsors have announced that they are severing their relationship with the club due to the appointment of Malky Mackay as manager.

The Championship club announced the appointment of Mackay on Wednesday, despite the fact that an FA investigation is ongoing into text messages the manager sent during his time at Cardiff.

The messages allegedly contain racist, sexist and homophobic content, and anti-racism group Kick It Out have condemned Wigan’s decision to hire Mackay before the investigation has concluded.

And back-of-shirt sponsors Premier Range, who are based in Lancashire, have now issued a statement saying they are ending their association with the club.

The sponsorship agreement only began in the summer but the Premier Range statement read: “It is with great sorrow that we have to announce we are breaking our ties with Wigan Athletic FC.

We thought that it was natural for us move onto another local team with Wigan and we decided to sponsor their shirts. Unfortunately, their recent appointment of Malky Mackay has put us in a position that we find untenable.
Statement from Premier Range

"Football is very close to our hearts here at www.premierrange.co.uk and we have always involved ourselves with local teams in one way or another.

"We had a great run with Burnley FC and were delighted when they were promoted this season.

"We thought that it was natural for us move onto another local team with Wigan and we decided to sponsor their shirts.

"Unfortunately, their recent appointment of Malky Mackay has put us in a position that we find untenable.

"Mr Mackay is currently under investigation by the FA for sending text messages that are at odds with the general ethos here at Premier Range.

"The texts Mr Mackay has admitted to sending are wholly unacceptable - and the thoughts expressed within them are a shocking reminder of a past we thought football had left behind.

"A team that would employ a man who expresses views such these is not the kind of team Premier Range wish to deal with."

The FA have released a statement saying their investigation into Mackay's conduct is still ongoing and they they "fully appreciate the need to act expeditiously on this matter".

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