In this is a Sunday Aug. 14 2005 file photo of Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan as he applauds his team as they prepare to take on Chelsea in the club,s first English Premiership soccer match at The JJB Stadium, Wigan, England (Photo: AP)
Dave Whelan has resigned as chairman of second-tier English soccer club Wigan after serving a six-week ban for racially-aggravated misconduct.
The 78-year-old Whelan was fined 50,000 pounds ($78,000), warned about his future conduct and ordered to undertake a mandatory education course after saying to The Guardian newspaper last year ''I think Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else. I don't think that's offensive at all.''
In a statement on Wigan's website, Whelan says ''the time has now come to hand over the reins.''
Whelan will remain owner of the club and will be succeeded as chairman by his 23-year-old grandson.
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