THE Football Association faced heavy criticism yesterday from campaign groups after failing to punish Malky Mackay and Iain Moody for sending racist and homophobic texts.

The investigation into a private conversation via text message 11 months ago, when the pair worked for Cardiff City, was concluded with both of them escaping disciplinary action.

The FA said that the exchange took place “with a legitimate expectation of privacy” and that both Mackay and Moody had acknowledged that some of the language used in their text exchange was not acceptable.

But the Gay Football Supporters Network were outraged with football’s governing body, saying: “It is disappointing that the FA has taken several months to conclude its investigation into the alleged racist and homophobic private correspondence between Malky Mackay and Iain Moody. The lengthy delay does not give the impression that such issues are being sufficiently prioritised.

“If the FA is serious about tackling discrimination then it needs to implement a code of conduct prohibiting any discriminatory behaviour that brings the game into disrepute, for all those involved in professional football regardless of the context in which the conduct occurred, public or private.

“There is no room in football for those who think such behaviour is acceptable, regardless of the forum in which it is made.”

Women In Football also made their feelings clear, expressing their “disappointment” with the verdict, which sends out a wrong message on equality in football.

“Women in Football (WiF) is disappointed by The FA’s verdict on the Malky Mackay and Iain Moody case regarding sexist, racist, homophobic and anti-semitic comments exchanged between the former Cardiff City FC employees, which sends out the wrong message on equality in football.

“WiF are concerned that the governing body’s stance effectively provides a carte blanche for individuals and organisations to discriminate against women, ethnic minorities, LGBT and other minority groups, using the caveat of a ‘legitimate expectation of privacy’ to do so.

“WiF believe that privately discriminating against those with protected characteristics is no less dangerous than publicly doing so, and urge the FA to bring its policies in line with other sectors who do not tolerate such abuse.”