Steven Caldwell Left Bemused By Referee

Wigan Athletic centre half Steven Caldwell was left a little bemused at the end of Saturday`s clash with Manchester United, by the decisions of match referee Martin Atkinson to not only send off Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodallega but also Atkinson`s failure to award Latics a penalty when Charles N`Zogbia was bundled over in the penalty box by constant offender Vidic

Alcaraz received two yellow cards, the second one for an innocuous challenge on United midfielder Darren Fletcher that Caldwell reckoned was no worse than any of a number of challenges made by Man U players that went unpunished by the referee

Speaking to the press Caldwell said: 'I wasn't even worried he might go off for the [second] challenge, to be honest'

'There were tackles flying in from their side - and I know I'm biased - that weren't getting punished, and could possibly have been bookings.

'But I thought it was an honest challenge from Antolin to get the ball, and although it was a certain foul on Fletch, which we accept, I just felt the referee could have shown a bit of leniency.

'Maybe the pressure from the crowd and whatever meant he sent him off.'

'I also thought it was a stonewall penalty and I'm certain that if it had been a Manchester United player it would have been a penalty.

'I said that to the referee at half-time, and he said he felt that Charlie went down far too easily.

'My argument was why would he go down when he was in such a strong position.

'It was such a big decision that had a bearing on the game, because they got their first goal within a couple of minutes and all of a sudden we're 1-0 down at half-time.'

A bemused Steven Caldwell

Image courtesy of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic



















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