- Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell was sent off against Lincoln City last week
- The Grecians boss cited his Scottish accent as the reason behind his sanction
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Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell argued that he was sent off against Lincoln City last Saturday because of his ‘aggressive’ Scottish accent.
The Grecians were held to a 0-0 draw in their trip to Sincil Bank, but were denied victory when Ryan Trevitt’s added-time strike was adjudged to have hit Angus MacDonald on the hand.
Caldwell had been incensed by the decision and was sent off for the second time this calendar year.
For allegedly acting in an improper manner towards officials, the 42-year-old was charged with misconduct by the FA on Thursday morning.
A official statement read: ‘Gary Caldwell has been charged with misconduct following the EFL League One fixture between Lincoln City and Exeter City on Saturday 22 March. It’s alleged that the manager acted in an improper manner around the 92nd minute, which led to his dismissal, and he has until Monday 31 March to respond.’
However, Caldwell maintained that he did not swear at any of the officials, insisting his strong Scottish accent was mistaken for aggression.
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell said he was sent off for his ‘Scottishness’ last week
Caldwell, pictured with his wife Jennifer, says she complains about how aggressive he sounds
The 42-year-old was charged with misconduct for his behaviour towards officials at the end of Exeter’s 0-0 draw with Lincoln City
This is the second time this season Caldwell has been sent off and charged for his behaviour
‘I obviously went over to the fourth official, who is 20 yards away because that’s where the fourth official is at that stadium,’ Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.
‘So there is no way to communicate with the fourth official unless you leave your technical area. I didn’t run, he said I was aggressive, people who know me, I’ve got a Scottish accent.’
Caldwell went on to say that his wife often accuses him of being aggressive. He added: ‘Jen (Caldwell’s wife) complains all the time how aggressive I am to her, to the kids, to the dog – I think it’s the Scottish accent.’
‘It comes across very aggressive, but I didn’t swear, I didn’t run, in my opinion I wasn’t aggressive. My accent and my Scottishness is aggressive, but yeah, I got sent off for that.’
Last Saturday was the second time this season that Caldwell has seen red on the touchline, as well as the second incident he has received a fine for, having also been sent off against Wycombe on New Year’s Day.
The Scot was given a two-match touchline ban and £2,750 fine for his transgressions on that occasion.
Caldwell continued: ‘I do have to probably look at it have to change, and probably try and change my accent and be a little bit more “Englified”.
‘I can’t obviously speak in my own accent because it comes across very aggressive, so I’m going to need to look at it because I do accept that it can’t keep happening.’
