REACTION: Posh players accused of conning officials by Wigan manager

Peterborough United’s players were accused of conning referee Thomas Bramall into the award of several soft free-kicks and a match-winning penalty today (February 27).
A Wigan corner sails over Posh galkeeper Christy Pym's head to give the visitors the lead. Photo: David Lowndes.A Wigan corner sails over Posh galkeeper Christy Pym's head to give the visitors the lead. Photo: David Lowndes.
A Wigan corner sails over Posh galkeeper Christy Pym's head to give the visitors the lead. Photo: David Lowndes.

Wigan Athletic’s interim manager Leam Richardson was clearly frustrated at the antics of Posh players during a 2-1 home win.

The relegation-haunted visitors were good value for the 1-0 lead they took 20 minutes from time, but two late Jonson Clarke-Harris goals turned the game on its head. Clarke-Harris won the match from the penalty spot after a foul by Tendayi Tarikwa on Siriki Demebele.

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Richardson told the Wigan media team: ‘Obviously I have to select my words quite well here. I thought the officials could have dismissed it quite early, with how many times their lads went down, appealing for certain things around the pitch.

Siriki Dembele of Peterborough United takes on Tendayi Darikwa of Wigan Athletic. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Siriki Dembele of Peterborough United takes on Tendayi Darikwa of Wigan Athletic. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Siriki Dembele of Peterborough United takes on Tendayi Darikwa of Wigan Athletic. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

“That’s never nice to see in football, and the officials have a hard enough job on their hands as it is.

“But fair play to Peterborough, they won today

“The referee told me at half-time he was aware of how many times players were going to ground easy. He said he was going to manage the game, and there wouldn’t be any soft decisions made.

“Obviously after the game I’ve approached him and reminded him of our chat at half-time, that he had instigated, about making sure there were no soft ones given.

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“I think it’s an easy one to dismiss because, with all due respect, when lads are going down, what’s right and what’s wrong?

“If he’d just stamped it out early on, maybe handed out a booking, it’s a situation that manages itself.

“But when you keep it on that knife edge, and people keep asking the same questions of the officials...it’s a hard enough job without having to contend with that.

“Obviously he’s got a big decision to make at the end, the kid’s gone down...

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“If we’d have lost with a really good goal, a nice passage of play or a great strike, you’re all right with that.

“But to lose in the manner we did, it’s going to be tinged with frustration.”

Posh manager Darren Ferguson described the penalty award as ‘clearcut.’