Former Cardiff City football manager Malkay Mackay has apologised for sending two text messages which he admitted were “disrespectful of other cultures”.

But Mr Mackay said the messages were part of “friendly text message banter”.

It is alleged that he sent a number of texts which were antisemitic, racist, homophobic and sexist.

A spokesman from the League Managers Association (LMA) said: “If Malky has caused any offence by these two isolated matters he would wish to sincerely apologise.

“These were two text messages sent in private at a time Malky felt under great pressure and when he was letting off steam to a friend.”

The LMA also said: “There are incorrect and damaging suggestions that he sent a whole host of offensive and unpleasant messages that are simply not true. This gives a grossly distorted and unfair view of Malky's involvement in this matter.”

Among the messages he is accused of sending is one making disparaging remarks about Jewish football agent Phil Smith.

The text read: “Go on, fat Phil. Nothing like a Jew that sees money slipping through his fingers”.

In response, Mr Smith told the Daily Mail that "in today's society, racism is wholly unacceptable and sport should be no different".

"If you want to call me fat, I don't care," he said. "But to say it's good to see a Jews suffer, that's not good. There's no place for language like that."

Mr Mackay is also accused of describing Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv as simply “the Jews”.