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CRITICISM: Carlisle (PA)

FORMER PLAYER and anti-racism campaigner Clarke Carlisle has spoken out at the decision to appoint Malky Mackay as the new manager of Wigan Athletic and criticised chairman Dave Whelan following his controversial comments about Jewish and Chinese people.

The former Cardiff City manager was appointed on Wednesday (Nov 19) afternoon despite an ongoing Football Association investigation into alleged racist, sexist and homophobic comments he made via email and text message during his tenure with the club.

The FA’s inquest into Mackay’s comments certainly wasn’t enough deter Latics owner Dave Whelan from appointing the 42-year-old, who now himself has been accused of making anti-semtic and racist remarks in his defence of the Scot.

Mackay strongly denies the allegations but Carlisle has questioned the decision to allow the former Bluebirds gaffer back into football.

UNDER FIRE: Mackay, left, and Whelan (PA)

The former PFA chairman told BT Sport: “One thing that stands out from this is that football clubs don’t always behave like bona fide employers.

“We shouldn’t be surprised by the appointment, Dave Whelan has said it himself, football is everything, which it isn’t. It doesn’t transcend morals, ethics and law.

“He also said a number of years ago that colour should be forgotten and that it doesn’t really bother anybody, so the big question for me is, what is his mindset as an employer?”

Two of Wigan Athletic’s sponsors have severed ties with the club since Mackay was confirmed as the Championship club’s new boss.

He replaces German manager Uwe Rosler who was sacked last week.

Wigan are sitting in the relegation zone with 16 points as they prepare for a visit from Middlesbrough tomorrow afternoon.

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, who fired Mackay last season, weighed into the debate today and labelled both the Scottish manager and Whelan as "racists".