Cardiff City board to meet in wake of Iain Moody suspension

Cardiff City have called a board meeting for Monday following their decision to place head of recruitment Iain Moody on gardening leave.

The club have denied reports they asked manager Malky Mackay to resign after his right-hand man was suspended, with 23-year-old Alisher Apsalyamov brought in as his acting replacement.

It is understood Mackay, 41, has given up hope of keeping Moody at the club but won't leave himself.

Cardiff are yet to comment.

In his scouting role, former Watford press officer Moody helped the club sign summer recruits including Gary Medel from Sevilla and Steven Caulker from Tottenham.

Apsalyamov is not believed to have any experience in football and his appointment is the latest controversy in the reign of owner Vincent Tan.

The Malaysian caused consternation among many Cardiff fans during the summer of 2012 after changing the club's colours from blue to red, while there have been reports of dressing-room unrest over bonuses.

Cardiff City Supporters' Trust chairman Tim Hartley said recent developments were of concern.

"Fans want Malky Mackay - who has done a fantastic job as manager, taking the club to the Premier League - to remain at Cardiff City," Hartley said.

"We don't want to see any action taken to undermine his position as manager and Cardiff City's efforts to have a successful first season in the top division.

"There are fears that the current developments could drive Malky into the arms of another Premier League club and that would be hugely damaging.

"Fans deserve a clear statement on the position from the club on what has been happening and Malky's position needs to be made perfectly clear."

Former England boss Graham Taylor, meanwhile, is bemused by recent developments.

"It is a very, very strange situation," said Taylor, who was Watford chairman and worked with Mackay and Moody at Vicarage Road.

"I cannot believe... the decision to replace Iain. I just cannot believe it.

"It will be interesting to see what Malky's reaction is. I do hope this doesn't have an adverse reaction on the team's performance and results.

"He is the manager and he has just got the club into the Premier League after such a long time out of it.

"I don't think you will see any public tantrums from Malky or anything like that [but] I know he will be extremely upset and disappointed."