A column in the JC was a key factor in the Football Association's decision to clear Dave Whelan of being a racist.

The FA found that remarks made by the owner of Wigan Athletic breached its racism rules, banning him from football-related activities for six weeks and fining him £50,000. But it also ruled that Mr Whelan "is not a racist" and "did not intend to cause any offence".

The owner of Wigan Athletic had called Jews "very shrewd" and said they "chase money more than everybody else". The FA said that, in coming to its judgment, it had placed "particular reliance" on an article by Geoffrey Alderman in the JC on December 4.

Prof Alderman had written that there was "nothing remotely antisemitic" in Mr Whelan remarks.

He said this week that he was flattered that the FA "should have seen fit to refer to me". He added: "Mr Whelan said Jews were shrewd, and I think they are. He said Jews chase after money more than everyone else, and in my article I went into a discussion about wealth. In Judaism, wealth is a positive that can be used for good. I think it's silly to say that what Mr Whelan said was antisemitic. It's laughable."