11:19am Monday 22nd March 2010
By Chris Hopper
WIGAN Athletic bosses are investigating after a missile thrown from the Burnley supporters’ area struck goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
Referee Mike Jones halted the game at the DW Stadium in the 53rd minute for Kirkland to receive treatment.
Kirkland, with his back towards the Burnley fans amassed behind his goal, was initially seen rubbing the top of his head.
Wearing a pained expression, Kirkland’s gaze was then directed to the Clarets supporters as he attempted to seek out the perpetrator.
Kirkland was found to be uninjured and able to continue, producing a vital save in the dying stages moments prior to Hugo Rodallega heading home a last-gasp winner.
Wigan chiefs are looking into whether the incident was caught on CCTV.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said: “We’re trying to find out what happened.
“We think it was a coin.
“We’re not too sure about it, but it’s one of those events you don’t want to see on a football pitch.
“I was relieved and pleased Chris carried on in the game because can you imagine if he’d been carried off because someone threw a coin.
“What occurred is something the authorities need to look into, and something we don’t want to see on a football pitch.
“It shouldn’t be in modern football.”
Burnley boss Brian Laws said he did not see what happened.
He said: “I asked what the problem was and the referee said there was something thrown from that area.
“I don’t know what it was.
“I’d rather talk about the performance than anything else and that’s what I’m going to concentrate on.”
Last season Chelsea striker Didier Drogba received a police caution for throwing a coin back to Burnley fans during the Carling Cup fourth road at Stamford Bridge.
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