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Martinez critical of ref

Image: Youssouf Mulumbu: Should have been sent off for his reaction, according to Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez has expressed his disappointment with the way referee Michael Oliver handled the scuffle in Saturday's game against West Brom.

Wigan boss says Mulumbu should have been sent off

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has expressed his disappointment with the way referee Michael Oliver handled the scuffle in Saturday's match against West Brom that he believes should have resulted in a red card for Youssouf Mulumbu. Mulumbu reacted to a challenge by James McArthur in the 70th minute by shoving him from behind, before Jerome Thomas grabbed Emmerson Boyce after the Wigan defender tried to step in. Oliver decided to show yellow cards to Mulumbu, Boyce and Thomas, while McArthur went unpunished. But Martinez believes the official should have taken a tougher stance and given Mulumbu his marching orders. The Latics boss does nevertheless recognise that his players could not blame the 1-1 draw on Oliver's decision and should still have taken their chances to win the game.

Light-handed

"There was nothing wrong with McArthur's challenge. He tries to win the ball," said Martinez. "But I've seen Mulumbu's reaction given as a red card. It's not a sportsman's behaviour. "Obviously you expect the ref to be strong and punish Mulumbu. "Boyce has tried to get in between Mulumbu and McArthur, and Thomas just grabs him. I thought the whole thing was handled by the ref a bit light-handedly. "But we were so dominant we didn't need that to go our way to win."

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