Anti-racism group Kick It Out has criticised Wigan Athletic for appointing Malky Mackay as the club's new manager.

Mackay, who joined the Latics on Wednesday, is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Football Association over offensive text messages that he sent to a former colleague at Cardiff City.

The Scot has repeatedly expressed remorse over the messages, but Kick It Out believes that Wigan should have waited for the FA to reveal its findings before bringing him to the DW Stadium.

"Wigan Athletic have disregarded the ongoing investigation being undertaken by the FA, and any potential punishment Mackay may face, by taking the decision to appoint him," read an official statement.

"We need to see leadership, and a respect for the processes in place, shown by football club owners to demonstrate how seriously they take tackling issues of exclusion, prejudice and discrimination.

"The FA now needs to move swiftly to let everybody know whether they agree with Wigan's position or whether they will reinforce their own zero-tolerance stance on all such matters of equality and diversity. We await The FA's response before commenting further."

Mackay has signed a rolling contract with Championship strugglers Wigan.