OSG Championship: Whelan Charged By FA Over Racist Comments

((HT: SkySports/Beanyman Sports))

Not that this is a surprise...

But ever since Wigan chairman Dave Whelan hired Malky Mackay as his new manager to stop the hemorrhaging of the Latics. Currently, they're next-to-last in the table with only 18 points on the season so far- clearly, nine points above Blackpool but in the logjam in the relegation zone.

So, Whelan hires Mackay who is under investigation for sending racist and anti-Semitic text messages in his time as manager at Cardiff City last season. Then, Whelan says on the record to The Guardian newspaper: "I think Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else."

Whelan also said he did not view the word 'chink' as offensive. It was the term by which Mackay allegedly referred to Cardiff owner Vincent Tan in one of the text messages under review.

From the Guardian newspaper and David Conn at the time:

Asked whether he did not think what Mackay said was offensive, because the claim Jews “love money” has been used as a negative stereotype, Whelan said: “Do you think Jewish people chase money a little bit more than we do? I think they are very shrewd people.”

Asked if he himself believed that, Whelan, the 77-year-old multimillionaire and former owner of JJB Sports, said: “I think Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else. I don’t think that’s offensive at all.”

He then apologized...


The FA said in response: "It is alleged the Wigan Athletic chairman breached FA Rule E3[1] in that his comments were abusive and/or insulting and/or constitute improper conduct and/or bring the game into disrepute.

"It is further alleged that this is an 'Aggravated Breach' as defined by FA Rule E3[2] as it included a reference to ethnic origin and/or race and/or nationality and/or religion or belief."

Whelan said he will quit if found guilty by the FA. He has until December 5th to respond to the charge.

The HQ didn't think the season could have gotten any worse for the Latics, but we think it will.

OSG Prem: Yep, Zoopla Is Done With West Brom

((HT: Sky Sports))

And this news comes hours before their Monday night match-up against Everton...

Against West Ham, Anelka celebrated by using a "quenelle" gesture- what is regarded as an inverted Nazi salute. Anelka responded by saying it was a tribute to French comedian Dieudonne, who has been arrested half-a-dozen times for hate speech against Jews.


Zoopla said, in a statement, that it had been "reviewing its position over the past few weeks in light of the actions of striker, Nicolas Anelka, during the match against West Ham over the Christmas period and has decided to focus its attention on other marketing activities after this season."

Zoopla is owned by Alex Chesterman, who is Jewish, and they had given West Brom their largest kit deal in history. The deal was set to end after this season. The firm just confirms it now and word is that any kit Anelka wears must not have the Zoopla logo on its front...

The game with Everton should be interesting...

OSG Prem: West Brom Main Sponsor May Pull Over Anelka Flap

It all started over this salute-slash-tribute by West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka...

At West Ham on Boxing Day, he made a 'quenelle' gesture which some French politicians have associated with anti-Semitism...


Anelka claimed it was a tribute to a stand-up comedian friend of his, Dieudonne...

Now the sponsor on the front of the West Brom kit, Zoopla, may pull out of their sponsorship if Anelka plays Monday. The company is owned by Alex Westerman, who is Jewish. A Marketing Week article by Sebastian Joseph says the company will pull out "with immediate effect" if Anelka is still around.

From Joseph:

It is likely Anelka will face the Merseyside side club next week, however, with one source close to the matter claiming the club is not prepared to let sponsors dictate its team selection. West Brom are believed to have already made early inquires into securing a temporary sponsor for the remainder of the season should Zoopla act on its threat. The property firm’s two-year deal with the club ends this season and the club is “confident’ of being able to find a new long-term backer given the League’s growing popularity, according to the source.

The Football Association is still looking into the move by Anelka...

OSG Prem: West Brom's Anelka Facing Ban For Anti-Semitic Gesture

((HT: BPL))

First of all... tell us what you think this gesture means...


Anelka scored twice in West Brom's 3-3 draw with West Ham, but the FA is asking him what in the blue hell he was thinking when he gave the French "quenelle" salute- made famous by French comedian Dieudonne, a close personal friend of Anelka, and linked to anti-Semitism in France.

Anelka is claiming that it was just a nod to his friend while the rest of the world is coming down hard...

French minister for sport Valerie Fourneyron called the move "shocking" and "disgusting" through her official Twitter account.

"Anelka's gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There's no place for anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred on the football field."

Richard Ferrer, of the Jewish News, told Sky Sports News:

"This is either a lack of awareness on Anelka's part, or something more sinister...he must be aware of the 'quenelle's meaning and the baggage it carries. Surely he was making a statement? It's a major concern for the Football Association."

European Jewish Congress president Moshe Kantor told Sky: "This salute is merely a lesser known Nazi salute and we expect the same kind of punishment to be handed down by the authorities as if Anelka had made the infamous outstretched arm salute."

The HQ guesses that Anelka is in a load of trouble...