WIGAN boss Owen Coyle has had a change of heart over appealing the red card picked up by Callum McManaman during their 1-0 defeat by Cherries on Saturday.
McManaman was dismissed by referee Graham Scott for a two-footed lunge on Brett Pitman, committed just minutes after he had come on as a second-half substitute.
The incident provoked ugly scenes at Dean Court with Latics manager Coyle incandescent with rage at the official’s decision to send his player for an early bath.
Coyle initially felt McManaman had been hard done by and, speaking at his post-match press conference, confirmed Wigan would appeal the red card, which carries an automatic three-match ban. At the time, Coyle said: “We all saw what happened, but I was one yard from the incident and Callum clearly won the ball.
“There is no doubt his momentum took him into the lad, but there was no intent.
“We will certainly be appealing against it because I feel the referee got it wrong.”
Although Coyle still felt the foul had not warranted a sending off, speaking to the Wigan Evening Post yesterday, the Scotsman confirmed he had shelved plans to launch an appeal.
He said: “Callum won the ball cleanly – I don’t think there is any doubt about that. What happened was his momentum took him into the opponent.
“I am still convinced it is not a red card, but I can see why he gave him a red.
“To win an appeal, you have to prove it was a glaring mistake, which was maybe not the case.
“As I say, I do not agree with the decision but, on that basis, we decided it would be unwise to appeal.”
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