Kick It Out chairman admits allegations of discriminatory comments came as 'no shock'

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of football's equality and inclusion organisation Kick It Out, claims the latest reports of alleged discriminatory comments within the game have come as no surprise to him.

The Football Association has launched an investigation into allegations made by Cardiff City against former manager Malky Mackay and head of recruitment Iain Moody.

The allegations refer to work-related text messages between Mackay and Moody - believed to be homophobic, racist and allegedly sexist - which bring the game into disrepute.  

Moody, who left Cardiff to take up the position of sporting director at Crystal Palace, resigned his post on Thursday morning with immediate effect while Mackay's name was withdrawn from the list of possible successors to manager Tony Pulis at Selhurst Park. 

In a statement, Lord Ouseley said: “Kick It Out is aware but not shocked to hear of reports revealing alleged racist, antisemitic, sexist and homophobic comments made by former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay, and Iain Moody, the current sporting director at Crystal Palace. 

The reality is that these views are most dangerously held by those people in positions of power.

“These revelations are further confirmation of how football is tainted with racism, sexism, homophobia and antisemitism, and the culture which continues to exist throughout the game and in wider society as a whole.

"The reality is that these views are most dangerously held by those people in positions of power, and the football establishment knows and condones it.

“What you see at face value is not always reflective of the attitudes which are actually held deep down. It’s easy to present yourself as being reasonable and fair, and to behave in ways that hide prejudice and bias. 

"However, any in-depth forensic examination or analysis of hidden views would be likely to reveal otherwise. That is what makes it difficult to eliminate and eradicate such prejudices, bigotry and even hatred.

“This familiar scenario acts as a challenge to the leadership of football that cannot be shirked again. The governing bodies and the clubs must denounce such attitudes prevalent in the game, and take the appropriate action.

"If these types of exchanges made privately make it into the public eye, the individuals concerned must accept the full consequences of their actions. Kick It Out now awaits the outcome of The Football Association’s investigation.”