Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan does not believe Callum McManaman wanted to cause harm with his reckless tackle on Newcastle United's Massadio Haidara on Sunday.
The young striker, starting his first Premier League game, caused the French left-back to be sent off during the first half of the Latics' eventual 2-1 victory at the DW Stadium with his challenge infuriating the Newcastle officials.
But Whelan feels it was all simply part of the game of professional football and feels that the Magpies have calmed down since the incident.
"I would be saying, 'football is a tough game'. I do not think there was any intent from our lad to hurt the Newcastle player," said Whelan.
"I spoke to Derek Llambias after the match and, I have to say, the Newcastle people who we dined with (after the match) took it all on the chin and thought, 'yeah it is part and parcel of the game'.
"I know there were some bad things said on the line. But the referee took charge of that and dispatched two of them. So, hopefully, the lad (Haidara) can start playing again next Saturday. Hopefully he will be okay and not be too seriously injured.
"But you are going to get injured if you play football professionally. It is a tough game."
