Roberto Martinez believes Antolin Alcaraz has taken valuable lessons from his three-match ban for spitting and is keen to move on from the incident.
Latics boss believes defender will learn from spitting ban
Roberto Martinez believes Antolin Alcaraz has taken valuable lessons from his three-match ban for spitting and is keen to move on from the incident.
The Paraguay international has been suspended by the Football Association after he was caught spitting at Wolves' Richard Stearman during a Premier League game on 6th November.
Alcaraz has attempted to explain his actions, claiming he intended to spit on the ground next to Christophe Berra, with whom he was arguing, and caught Stearman by accident.
Martinez believes there are other mitigating factors to take into account, but admits the incident was inexcusable and is hoping it can be left in the past where it belongs.
He said: "It was a very unfortunate incident. It is a bit of a cultural clash as well.
Unfortunate
"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."
Momentum
Alcaraz is set to sit out three crucial fixtures for Wigan, with the Latics looking to clamber off the foot of the Premier League table after losing eight games in succession.
Martinez added: "It is not good for us to look back.
"Obviously we are going to miss Antolin for three games and we need to accept it. That is what happens in football. We need to find the solutions to cope with injuries, to cope with suspensions.
"Obviously Antolin is desperate to help the team, especially in this situation we are in, so he is going to suffer a lot more not being on the pitch.
"It has been that sort of moment - everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Now is the moment to change it completely and make sure that we stop this negative momentum."
