Martinez warns Mancini over card antics

Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez has warned Roberto Mancini for trying to influence the referee’s decision.

Martinez was upset after an incident late in his side’s 1-0 defeat to the league leaders.

Honduras international Maynor Figueroa handled the ball on the halfway line when he appeared to be the last man but Martin Atkinson only awarded him a yellow card.

Manchester City manager Mancini deemed the incident to be a goalscoring opportunity and therefore waved an imaginary red card at the official to the annoyance of Martinez.

“I have been here long enough to know that trying to influence the referee is not acceptable in this country,” Martinez said.

“I’ve been here since 1995 so I know that’s seen as cheating.”

When asked whether he was surprised by the Italian’s reaction he replied “no” before adding: “I don’t think it’s a goalscoring opportunity. He handles in the opposite half and James McCarthy was coming back, so I don’t think it’s a red card.”

Martinez was unhappy with Wigan’s first-half performance, putting it down to having two key men unavailable, but he was delighted that they showed a lot of promise after the break.

“I would not say we played well today,” he said.

“The first half was as bad as we have played. We had two players missing and it probably took too long to adapt.”

“We defended well but we are disappointed to concede from a soft set play.”

“I’m pleased with the character and desire in the second-half but we have to be critical of ourselves. In many ways I’m pleased with the manner we finished, but I’m not happy.”

“We pride ourselves on being a lot better in possession – we can’t just say we were playing against a world-class team. The dressing room is clearly disappointed because we are better than that.”

Meanwhile, Mancini defended his habit of waving imaginary cards on the touchline calling for opposing players to be sent off.

It was the second time in four games that Mancini has done it but he refused to apologise despite accusing Wayne Rooney of influencing the referee when Vincent Kompany was dismissed in the Manchester derby on January 8.

“I did it because Rooney did it, but it’s normal when there’s a chance like today,” Mancini said.

“But because I’m on the bench, it’s different to a player near the referee.”

“From the bench it’s what you think at that moment. The referee can’t see you on the bench.”

Mancini was talking after watching Edin Dzeko score the only goal as City recovered after back-to-back defeats in the domestic cups.

“It was important after two defeats when we didn’t deserve to lose,” Mancini said.

“Now it’s important to win. In this moment it’s impossible to have an easy game, I think we played well in the first half and after we were so-so.”

“We had three or four chances to score a second goal. We needed to score a goal. Wigan are a good team – they drew here with Chelsea and Liverpool.”