Wigan manager Martinez hit with FA charge

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has been handed an FA charge of improper conduct after he accused referee Stuart Attwell of "lying" following a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

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Gary Caldwell's sending-off provoked ire

• Martinez criticises referee Atwell
• Wigan won't appeal Gary Caldwell red

Martinez was incensed by Attwell's decision to show Gary Caldwell a straight red card for a tackle on Carlos Tevez with the game at Eastlands, on March 29, finely balanced at 0-0.

Tevez went on to score a hat-trick following the dismissal of Caldwell in the 55th minute and Martinez felt Attwell could not have seen the incident properly.

Martinez said: "Gary said he went in really strong and got the ball. Carlos Tevez saw it and jumped off the ground, he is the one who left both feet.

"We are all human beings and we all make mistakes but to give a decision after something you don't see, that is lying. You are making it up. That is hard to take.

"He (the referee) said he saw Gary Caldwell with both feet off the ground. That's why he gave the red card. But Gary Caldwell only went with one foot. That is a real injustice."

The Football Association then asked manager Martinez for his observations about his controversial comments giving him until April 6 to respond.

Martinez subsequently said he would not be appealing against the decision or Caldwell's three-match ban because Attwell's interpretation of the incident had changed.

Martinez has until April 22 to respond to the charge of improper conduct.