Roberto Mancini red card row flares up again after win at Wigan

By Mancunian Matters staff

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini refused to apologise last night despite waving ANOTHER imaginary card in the 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

The Italian, and City coach David Platt, both raced to the touchline and waved cards in the direction of the pitch demanding the dismissal of Maynor Figueroa for deliberate handball.

But Mancini, who apologised after waving a red card during City's game at Liverpool earlier this month, said he would not say sorry on this occasion - because his gesture was not as bad as Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's in the Manchester derby defeat.

City hold the view that Rooney influenced referee Chris Foy in decision to send off captain Vincent Kompany.

And Mancini said: "I did it because Wayne Rooney did this. It is normal with a chance like that to do it.

Asked what was different between his gesture and Rooney's, the City manager said: "I am on the bench. It's different. When you are a player very near to the referee you can have more of an influence. I am on the bench and the referee cannot see me."

Rooney took to Twitter after the game to share his views, tweeting: "Was manchini [sic] asking for a red card????"

City's win, thanks to a first half header from Edin Dzeko, saw them move three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.