The Latics are to appeal to the FA after studying a video of the sending off of defender Clint Hill at Colchester. The referee gave Hill a straight red card after a tackle on Micky Stockwell but after seeing the video Iain Dowie insists thatHill is innocent. Hill is currently facing a three-game suspension from previous troubles at Tranmere.
Manager Dowie said, “He clearly played the ball with his leading foot – I’d be staggered if it wasn’t overturned. The referee was generally okay and when I saw Micky Stockwell after the game he was absolutely fine. He was in no danger of being badly injured and I’m confident the appeal will go in our favour.”
After the incident Colchester defender Mark Warren was also dismissed and Colchester are planning to join Athletic in appealing. The match referee, Grant Hegley, has pledged to review Athletic’s third red card of the season.