David Moyes plays down Roberto Mancini touchline fracas

25 March 2010 00:00
DAVID MOYES and Roberto Mancini both played down their touchline fracas after Manchester City's clash with Everton ended in explosive fashion.[LNB]The rival managers confronted each other as a compelling Premier League encounter at Eastlands went into injury time with Everton leading 2-0.[LNB]The remarkable incident was sparked by Moyes, who caught the ball ahead of making a late substitution.[LNB]Mancini interpreted the Scot's action as time-wasting and went over to remonstrate angrily.[LNB]Fourth official Howard Webb intervened and after Mancini had finally been calmed, referee Peter Walton sent both to the stands.[LNB]The FA will now await Walton's report before considering whether further action is necessary.[LNB]'I've spoken now with David and if I made a mistake I am sorry,' said Mancini, who is under pressure to deliver fourth place and Champions League football.[LNB]'I wanted to get the ball because there was another five minutes at the end.[LNB]'This can happen in a game but it is finished now.[LNB]'I was frustrated for the players because we played a good game and sometimes it can happen where scoring a goal is impossible.'[LNB]Moyes defended his actions and claimed he might even have been doing City a favour.[LNB]Moyes said: 'Next time I might just let the ball run through.[LNB]'I caught it because I was making a substitution, I would have thought it would actually have helped him.[LNB]'I was very surprised, I didn't know what I had done wrong.[LNB]He added: 'I thought he was picking on an old age pensioner because I think he is younger than me! I don't know why I was sent off. I grabbed the ball and I was wanting to make a substitution.[LNB]'I could have let the ball go down the line but that would have been even worse so I grabbed it and kept it, hoping to make a substitution.[LNB]'The next moment I think he was on top of me but these things happen in football. He was showing his passion for his football club and I have no problem with that.[LNB]'I have no problem with Roberto. He has apologised but it shows he is passionate about his club and he wants his team to do well.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo