Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Latics to appeal Koumas card

17 Mar 2008 - 07:33:24

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Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce has confirmed he will appeal the red card shown to Jason Koumas during Sunday's 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers.

The Wales international was controversially sent off when referee Steve Tanner ruled his fifth minute challenge which left Gary Cahill on the deck but uninjured was dangerous.

Koumas faces a three-match suspension which took the shine off Sunday's crucial victory, but Bruce confirmed after the final whistle that he intends to appeal the dismissal.

The result lifted the Latics up to 12th place in the table and further away from relegation danger.

"I've seen it and, given the climate and what happened a few weeks ago, we're all horrified when we see an injury like that," said Bruce, referring to the broken leg suffered by Arsenal's Eduardo da Silva at Birmingham earlier this month.

"But it's happened in football for years and you do know that part and parcel of the game is that you get injured - and usually from physical contact.

"If he had been two-footed and over the top of the ball then I would say the referee is right and he doesn't deserve to be on the pitch.

"When you do make a challenge and you slide into the ball, then it is impossible not to show your studs.

"But the big thing is he has tried to go for the ball and not gone over it, so in my opinion it is a challenge that deserved a yellow card.

"We've asked the referee and he has very kindly said he would look at it because for me I think it is harsh.

"I do think it is because of the climate we're in because at the moment referees are under enormous pressure.

"People don't know the rules any more. If you now make a sliding challenge and you miss it, is it a straight red? I think that needs to be clarified.

"If that's the case then you cannot take the chance of trying to slide in for the ball.

"So we now have to go down the proper channels (to appeal)."