Wigan: Manchester City will seek an explanation from Wigan Athletic for the pitch invasion that occurred after Monday night’s ill-tempered FA Cup fifth-round tie at the DW Stadium but the club currently has no plans to complain to the Football Association over the matter.
The FA are, however, assessing the situation and could well investigate Wigan for the encroachment, especially as there appeared to be little protection for both sets of players as home supporters streamed onto the pitch following the final whistle. City fans could also be seen hurling objects at police officers and stewards while video footage has emerged of Sergio Aguero making contact with a Wigan fan who approached the striker during the pitch invasion. That all too could come under scrutiny from the governing body.
There was ill-temper, too, on the pitch. City players surrounded Anthony Taylor after the referee appeared to change his mind and show Fabian Delph a red card for his challenge on Max Power shortly before half-time. Taylor had initially drawn a yellow card, and this also caused Pep Guardiola to remonstrate with opposite number, Paul Cook, a dispute that continue in the tunnel at the end of the opening period.
Wigan’s chairman, David Sharpe, stated the club will conduct its own investigation. “The emotions of football can sometimes get the better of fans and that was evident last night,” he told BBC Breakfast. “I don’t like to see what happened at the end of the game.”
Will Grigg’s 79th-minute strike meant City were knocked out of the Cup, ending their hope of a historic quadruple.
— Guardian News & Media Ltd, 2018
