Roberto Mancini under fire for waving imaginary card

MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has been told to stop waving imaginary cards at officials during matches.Wolves manager Mick McCarthy criticised the Italian for making such gestures, most recently on Monday 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.

It is understood the FA will not be taking any action over the matter. But 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 tonight, 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.

“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.”