Apologies don't interest Martinez

Apologies don't interest Martinez

Roberto Martinez: Not bothered by apology

Roberto Martinez expects an apology from the match official that cost Wigan a point at Chelsea, but the Latics chief would rather the original decision was right.

Martinez revealed referees had twice said sorry to him for costly decisions

this season and he was expecting a third one from assistant Dave Bryan after the Latics' bitter 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Chelsea on Saturday.

The assistant failed to flag despite both Blues goals being offside, costing Wigan a result that would have lifted them out of the bottom three for the first time in almost four months.

A "furious" Martinez's reaction has prompted the FA to examine his comme nts in which he branded Bryan's performance "disgusting" and "horrific" and claimed Wigan had been "robbed" by his decisions.

Without naming Bryan, the Spaniard absolved referee Mike Jones of blame and questioned the competence of his assistant to make "easy calls", going on to suggest "little Wigan" had been treated unfairly by officials on several other occasions.

The FA may elect to write to Martinez to ask him to explain his comments before deciding whether to charge the 38-year-old.

Before he apologises himself, Martinez could receive one from Bryan, having already had them this season after controversial decisions cost Wigan against Blackburn and at Manchester United.

"I would swap the three apologies for one point," Martinez said.

"I've had two apologies from referees already this season after decisions have been made. Sometimes, it's when you see them again, when you speak with them.

"We have a good relationship with most of them."

Martinez claimed such decisions ultimately could be what condemns his side to relegation.

He said: "You would never see those decisions against the top sides. Unfortunately, that's the case. All I want is to have strong referees.

"I just feel to it's a lot easier to make mistakes against us because there are no repercussions. There is not going to be a backlash against your decision."

He added: "It's not just here. That could be three points. When you've got 28, that could be crucial.

"Those are big influences in everyone's future in the football club. My players don't deserve it."

Strong

Martinez cited Lee Mason, who refereed Wigan's shock win at Liverpool two weeks ago, as his kind of official.

"Lee Mason at Anfield had to be strong," he said.

"He had to make three big calls but they were fair calls and that's all you want in football."

Mason was at the centre of controversy at Old Trafford yeste rday, though, as he awarded a dubious penalty and sent off Shaun Derry as Wigan's relegation rivals QPR lost 2-0 to Manchester United.

That ensured Wigan remained level on points with QPR, who are outside the drop zone on goal difference, and Martinez said after his own side's defeat: "We have to take responsibility for where we are. But small margins are very important.

"There is a sense of injustice and my players don't deserve to feel that way. I felt they were arrogant on the ball. They kept the ball well. We worked Chelsea hard.

"The least we deserved was a point. We were that confident that, in the last few seconds, my centre-half was in the penalty area trying to get a winner."