Kick It Out chairman Lord Herman Ouseley has branded Port Vale's decision to turn down Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2013 'outrageous'.
Vale's owner Norman Smurthwaite revealed he declined an opportunity to appoint Hasselbaink two years ago because of the club's 'racial issues', adding: “Can you imagine the poor bloke getting abuse, along with the normal abuse if results were going against him?."
And Kick It Out have since responded to the remarks, criticising the decision to refuse an opportunity to a manager because of the feared actions of a small minority.
Ouseley said that Smurthwaite's stance amounted to discrimination and reiterated the organisation's desire to see the best person for the job appointed in each scenario.
The Kick It Out chair said: “This is outrageous that we have an owner admitting he wanted to protect a manager because of the possibility of abuse, he has discriminated against Hasselbaink and denied him the opportunity of being Port Vale manager.
“If there’s a problem then it needs to be addressed and tackled. If education is needed then let’s do something about it.
“It is a sad day for Port Vale Football Club in 2015 when a football club owner admits this.
“Are black managers not capable of protecting themselves? The main criteria should be the best person for the job. Owners and decision makers at football clubs have a duty of care to appoint the best candidate.”
After failing to land the Port Vale job, Hasselbaink was subsequently given the reins at Burton Albion and led the side to League Two promotion last season before succeeding Chris Ramsey at QPR earlier this month.
