A "scandal over alleged racist, sexist and homophobic text messages sent between two senior football figures claimed its first scalp" on Thursday, according to Hughes & Cue of the LONDON TIMES. IAIN MOODY "resigned as sporting director" of EPL side Crystal Palace after details of the texts allegedly sent between him and former Cardiff City Manager MALKY MACKAY "were published." Palace on Wednesday night "pulled out of a deal" to appoint Mackay as its new manager after Cardiff reported both men to the FA. The dossier was said "to contain allegations made by Cardiff about the conduct" of Mackay and Moody while both were employed by the Welsh club. Mackay had this week agreed to sign a three-year contract at Palace, which would have reunited him with Moody (LONDON TIMES, 8/21). A short statement on Crystal Palace's website read, "In light of the events of yesterday, Sporting Director, Iain Moody has tendered his resignation and it has been accepted with immediate effect" (London INDEPENDENT, 8/21). In London, Matt Lawton reported after months of investigation, Sportsmail "revealed the details of two letters sent to the FA outlining explicit and offensive texts."
These messages "came to light after a dawn raid on Moody’s south London home in March this year," as part of Cardiff’s £750,000 ($1.2M) investigation into eight controversial transfers. The "text and email exchanges recovered form the basis of letters sent to the FA." Under FA rules, Cardiff is "required to report any matters which may constitute 'aggravated misconduct'" (DAILY MAIL, 8/21).
PALACE CAUGHT OFF GUARD: The BBC's David Ornstein reported Palace and Moody "denied any wrongdoing." The Palace hierarchy was "unaware of Cardiff's latest allegations about Moody and their complaint to the FA until Wednesday." Palace is also thought to be "unaware of the allegations about Mackay when he was interviewed for the vacant manager's position on Sunday." Mackay "did not perform as well as expected in the interview but remained a strong candidate for the role until Palace learned full details of the allegations on Wednesday and immediately withdrew their interest in the Scot" (BBC, 8/21). The HERALD SCOTLAND reported the FA "has confirmed it has received a detailed account" of issues related to Mackay and Moody. An FA spokesperson said, "The FA can confirm it is currently investigating this matter." The dossier "was filed more than a week ago and was not deliberately timed to affect Mackay's candidacy at Selhurst Park."
Former Norwich and Newcastle Manager CHRIS HUGHTON "is understood to have expressed an interest" in succeeding TONY PULIS at the south London club (HERALD SCOTLAND, 8/21). In London, John Percy reported Cardiff's "controversial" Malaysian Owner VINCENT TAN has appointed the London-based law firm Mishcon de Reya "to conduct a thorough investigation into the pair which even included warrants to search their homes this year" (TELEGRAPH, 8/21).
