Manchester: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended his habit of waving imaginary cards on the touchline calling for opposing players to be sent-off.
Mancini once again gestured for a red card on Monday night after Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa handled the ball in the 88th minute of City’s 1-0 victory at the DW Stadium.
It was the second time in four games that Mancini has waved an imaginary card but the Italian 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 added that he regretted the comments made about Rooney as he became embroiled in a row over officiating decisions for the fourth consecutive game.
The City boss called for Martin Skrtel to be sent off during his side’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool on January 3 and eight days later was involved in a tunnel altercation with Steven Gerrard after complaining about a challenge from Reds defender Glen Johnson.
Mancini was talking after watching Edin Dzeko score the only goal as City restored a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League and recovered from back-to-back defeats in the domestic cups.
“It was important after two defeats when we didn’t deserve to lose,” Mancini added. “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.”
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