Source: Team_Talk
Latics decide against Caldwell appeal
Wigan have decided not to appeal against the red card Gary Caldwell picked up in Monday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City.[LNB] Caldwell was dismissed for a challenge on Carlos Tevez early in the second half at Eastlands, a decision which infuriated manager Roberto Martinez.[LNB]The Spaniard was angered that Caldwell's tackle was deemed to have been two-footed and later accused referee Stuart Attwell of "lying" in explaining his decision that way.[LNB]Martinez has since been asked to clarify those remarks by the Football Association and could face disciplinary proceedings.[LNB]In another twist, Martinez has now claimed Attwell's official report refers to the challenge only as being of "excessive force".[LNB]Because of that, he now feels that an appeal against the red card could be deemed frivolous and Caldwell's automatic three-match ban therefore increased to four games.[LNB]Martinez said: "I never have a problem with referees' decisions, you can agree or disagree.[LNB]"What I don't accept is the reasoning of the red card.[LNB]"You can see he explains to my captain it was a two-footed challenge, he explained to Gary Caldwell it was a two-footed challenge and then he told me straight after the whistle it was a two-footed challenge.[LNB]"After half an hour when we are allowed to speak to the referee again, he just explained the reason was it was a two-footed challenge.[LNB]"I don't understand that, I cannot take that. It clearly didn't happen.[LNB]"If anyone went two-footed into the challenge, it was the opposing player.[LNB]"The reasoning of that decision I cannot understand and that is what all the problems have been around.[LNB]"Obviously since then the report gives a completely different explanation of the challenge. That is for everyone to give their own interpretation to.[LNB]"What it says is it was a challenge using excessive force, which contradicts his first reasoning of the red card.[LNB]"We need to go with the report and we cannot appeal against that report because we are risking further punishment."[LNB]Tevez went on to score a hat-trick in the final 18 minutes of the game to propel City to a 3-0 win that leaves Wigan just four points above the relegation zone.[LNB]Martinez has been given until April 6 to give the FA his observations following his initial comments.
