Whelan has been battling off accusations that he used racist language against Jewish folk and the Chinese whom he claimed English people had called ‘chinks.
Gold – usually the most even tempered of men – was close to losing it after hearing the Wigan chairman’s remarks and told The Sun:: “I’m saddened by the words.
“I’m struggling to accept it and there it is in black and white. It’s undeniable. I hope in some way he retracts this.”‘