Mancini told to cut out card waving

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has been told to stop waving imaginary cards at officials during matches.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today criticised the Italian for making such gestures, most recently last night.

Mancini wanted Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa to be shown a red card for denying Sergio Aguero a goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball in City’s win at the DW Stadium.

He also waved an imaginary card during a game against Liverpool earlier this month and then accused Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney of doing similar to get City’s Vincent Kompany sent off in an FA Cup tie.

Press Association Sport understands the Football Association will not be taking any action over the matter. However, if it was to continue they may review the situation.

McCarthy, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s FA Cup third-round replay against Birmingham tomorrow, said: “None of us should do it. It is something I don’t like.

“There is a cultural difference. Roberto is in this country now.

“It is a little blip on a really good career for him at Man City because he handles himself with such good dignity and grace.

“He has done it. I wouldn’t expect him to do it to one of my players or anyone else for that matter.

“I don’t think anyone should do it. It is wrong. It looks bad and I’m sure if it is pointed out Roberto won’t do it again.”

McCarthy’s comments follow criticism from Spanish Wigan counterpart Roberto Martinez, who did not deem Figueroa’s offence worthy of a red card as it occurred on the halfway line.

McCarthy said: “I see Roberto Martinez has said the same and he has been here long enough and he understands it is just not done.

“We have to give people a bit of credence for different culture and different places.

“But when they come here they have to understand, like if I go anywhere else I have to understand their culture.

“I was asked the other day should we be teaching players coming into this country to behave.

“I said, ’no, I know how to behave and I’ve been all over the world in my capacity as Irish manager and not upset anyone’.”

Mancini has now been involved in red card-related controversies in four successive games.

He first waved an imaginary red card after Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel fouled Yaya Toure in City’s Barclays Premier League win at the Etihad Stadium on January 3.

After being criticised he apologised, but then expressed frustration at the actions of Rooney five days later when Kompany was dismissed for a controversial two-footed tackle on Nani.

Mancini was then incensed when a challenge by Liverpool’s Glen Johnson went unpunished in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final and he subsequently became embroiled in a row with Reds captain Steven Gerrard.

His latest actions reopened his row with Rooney as the United forward tweeted, “Was Manchini (sic) asking for red card????” after the Figueroa incident.

Mancini defended his actions after the game, which his side won 1-0 to move three points clear at the top of the table.

He said: “It is normal when it is something like today.

“I am on the bench. It is different to a player who is near the referee. They can have more influence.

“From the bench, it is what you think at that moment but the referee doesn’t see you.”