James McClean and Joe Garner ended up getting sent off an altercation in the 97th minute during Wigan’s 2-0 win over Fleetwood on Tuesday.
Upon getting up, Joe Garner squared up to the Irishman before they both became involved in a tussle, leading to players from both sides running across to break things up.
Referee Martin Coy then showed a red card to both McClean and Garner, leaving the two teams to play out the final seconds with ten men each.
James McClean sent off in the 97th minute for this 😭😭
pic.twitter.com/8bo3z2QML4— The72 – We Love the #EFL (@_The72) March 1, 2022
Boy, that escalated quickly – I mean, that really got out of hand fast. 😳
Wigan’s James McClean and Fleetwood’s Joe Garner were both sent off following an altercation in the Latics’ 2-0 win! 🟥🟥 pic.twitter.com/nnwnFqTcmY
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 2, 2022
This inevitably means costly suspensions for the pair, whose sides can ill-afford to lose them at the business end of the season.
Having worked with Garner at the Latics last season, before signing McClean last summer, Richardson admitted the collision was in the ‘avoidable’ category.
“I think it’s two senior players, and I’ve worked with them both, who each have that will to win and that fight in them,” he said.
“It looked like a bit of a clash, a bit of handbags, but if the referee’s seen something, they should know better.
“But without seeing it, though, I can’t really comment too much.”
Fleetwood manager Stephen Crainey – a former Latics defender – insisted ‘it is what it is’.
He said: “I didn’t see the incident. But it is what it is, and we have to get on with it.
“If I look at it and I feel Joe hasn’t acted with any malice, we’ll certainly consider an appeal.
“But that’s for another day when we have a good look at it.”
Leam Richardson was more in defence of a player he says has been a model professional since returning to the DW Stadium.
“I’ve worked with James McClean for a period of time now, and he’s been an absolute pleasure to work with,” said the Latics boss.
“That’s all I can say…his will to win is there for all to see.
“Knowing him, leaving the pitch like that, there’ll be nobody more disappointed than he is.
“In training, every day, he’s the first one in, and he’s the last one out, pushing himself to be the best he can be.
“He looks after himself, he lives for football, he lives to win, and he loves playing for this club.
“I always take people as I find them.
“And over the course of 30-plus games under me, he’s been an absolute pleasure to work with.”
The game itself saw Wigan cement their position in the automatic promotion spots of League One with a hard-fought victory.
Keane opened the scoring eight minutes before half time from the penalty spot, after Tendayi Darikwa had seen a shot handled by a visiting defender.
McClean doubled the advantage five minutes later after good work from Callum Lang.
There was plenty of reaction to James McClean and Joe Garner getting sent off after an altercation in the 97th minute…
@natediazisking: Looked like a dive went down easily
@michaelfox_1: James McClean? I’m shocked to my core
@CatMountford97: Joe Garner went to head butt him and also got sent off, but that doesn’t fit their agenda as they want to single McClean out, because everyone loves abusing him. Sick.
@StandishTic: Joe Garner doing Joe Garner things. Little prick
@DavePez57: Garner. 1st contribution was to run 20 yards to the ref to implore him to book a Wigan player . next was to clatter Watts and then feign innocence. Then provoked a ruck in a game that was already over. kicked more players that the ball #Upthetics #wafc
@mickey_blue_66: First time I’ve seen a rolling maul form in football 👍🏼
@Sam_f_Heaton: They got acquainted earlier and from then on a matter of time
@TractorEssexBoy: Well that’s a bonus for #itfc atleast he won’t be scoring against us on Saturday
@danzohedley: Did joe garner acc think he had a chance ahahahah #ftfc #wafc
@davidjackson3: I can’t see what McClean did wrong there. Garner looked as though he punched him
@KMeffatt: James McClean putting the hun rat on the floor and leaving him there. Good lad 🇮🇪
@jomas1704: James McClean the one in blue and white is the one “floored”
Exclusive unseen footage of Joe Garner at the DW last night, taken seconds after he tried to intimidate James MacLean #wafc pic.twitter.com/0i1B0kPlTI
— Rich Eames (@bmxcommentator) March 2, 2022
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