Martinez: Alcaraz must learn lesson
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez expects defender Antolin Alcaraz to learn a lesson from his three-match ban for spitting.
The Paraguay international was suspended by the Football Association after spitting at Wolves' Richard Stearman in Latics' last Barclays Premier League game on November 6. Alcaraz explained that he was attempting to spit on the ground beside Christophe Berra, with whom he was arguing, but caught Stearman by accident.
Martinez has also pointed to other mitigating factors but both accepted the incident was inexcusable and did not contest the FA charge. He said: "It was a very unfortunate incident. It is a bit of a cultural clash as well."
He added: "We know he has learnt his lessons, he has apologised for it.
"He was very unfortunate because it was in the heat of the moment, with the importance of the game at that stage. He felt he was provoked.
"His reaction is something you cannot condone but it has different connotations back in his homeland.
"What is very disrespectful here is not disrespectful in other countries and the other way round.
"That was a very unfortunate incident that he didn't mean to happen the way it happened.
"But it is easier to just accept that, learn from it and just move on in a professional manner. I think he did that."
Alcaraz's ban will begin as bottom side Wigan face fellow strugglers Blackburn in a crunch encounter at the DW Stadium on Saturday. Latics have just five points after losing their last eight games in succession.
