Wayne Rooney has re-ignited his red-card row with Roberto Mancini by accusing him of trying to get Wigan's Maynor Figueroa sent off.
Manchester United striker Rooney used Twitter to suggest Mancini attempted to get referee Martin Atkinson to dismiss Figueroa for this bizarre handball during Manchester City's win by waving an imaginary card.
Plainly still smarting after Mancini accused him of doing the same when Vincent Kompany was sent off at Eastlands nine days ago, Rooney tweeted: "Was manchini (sic) asking for a red card????"
But the Italian, who was involved in a tunnel row with Steven Gerrard last week for claiming Glen Johnson should have been dismissed for a two-footed tackle, was unrepentant.
He bit back at Rooney, claiming the striker had more influence over the referee following the Kompany incident because he was stood next him on the pitch, whereas he was on the sideline and not even in Atkinson's line of vision.
"I did it because Wayne Rooney did it," said the City manager. "It's normal with a chance like that to do it.
"I am on the bench. When you are near to the referee you can have more of an influence. I am on the bench and the referee cannot see me.
"I used to do this (as a player). But I don't want to say anything about that situation."
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez rejected Mancini's claims that Figueroa should have walked and criticised the Italian for trying to influence the officials.
"I don't think it's a goalscoring opportunity," he said. "James McCarthy was coming back and Maynor wasn't even in his own half. I don't think it's a red card.
"I've been here long enough to understand that trying to influence the referee is not accepted in the British game.
"When a player tries to simulate or buy a decision from the referee that is regarded as cheating. I understand that in Italy, France and Spain it is acceptable to try to get a decision from the referee, but it is different here."
Mancini was more interested in the fact that City had ended their mini-crisis and moved three points clear of United in the title race.
"It was important to win," he said. "We had three or four chances to score in the second half. Wigan are a very good team with a fantastic manager and they are dangerous at home.
"At this moment it is important to take three points. This month it is important to take maximum points from every game."
He was also pleased to see Edin Dzeko score his first goal since November 5.
"I am happy for him," he said. "He deserved to score. It was an important goal and I hope he continues to score."
Dzeko said: "I am happy to score and to help the team win."
Manchester United striker Rooney used Twitter to suggest Mancini attempted to get referee Martin Atkinson to dismiss Figueroa for this bizarre handball during Manchester City's win by waving an imaginary card.
Plainly still smarting after Mancini accused him of doing the same when Vincent Kompany was sent off at Eastlands nine days ago, Rooney tweeted: "Was manchini (sic) asking for a red card????"
But the Italian, who was involved in a tunnel row with Steven Gerrard last week for claiming Glen Johnson should have been dismissed for a two-footed tackle, was unrepentant.
He bit back at Rooney, claiming the striker had more influence over the referee following the Kompany incident because he was stood next him on the pitch, whereas he was on the sideline and not even in Atkinson's line of vision.
"I did it because Wayne Rooney did it," said the City manager. "It's normal with a chance like that to do it.
"I am on the bench. When you are near to the referee you can have more of an influence. I am on the bench and the referee cannot see me.
"I used to do this (as a player). But I don't want to say anything about that situation."
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez rejected Mancini's claims that Figueroa should have walked and criticised the Italian for trying to influence the officials.
"I don't think it's a goalscoring opportunity," he said. "James McCarthy was coming back and Maynor wasn't even in his own half. I don't think it's a red card.
"I've been here long enough to understand that trying to influence the referee is not accepted in the British game.
"When a player tries to simulate or buy a decision from the referee that is regarded as cheating. I understand that in Italy, France and Spain it is acceptable to try to get a decision from the referee, but it is different here."
Mancini was more interested in the fact that City had ended their mini-crisis and moved three points clear of United in the title race.
"It was important to win," he said. "We had three or four chances to score in the second half. Wigan are a very good team with a fantastic manager and they are dangerous at home.
"At this moment it is important to take three points. This month it is important to take maximum points from every game."
He was also pleased to see Edin Dzeko score his first goal since November 5.
"I am happy for him," he said. "He deserved to score. It was an important goal and I hope he continues to score."
Dzeko said: "I am happy to score and to help the team win."
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