MANCHESTER // Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was not likely to be banned for his tackle on David Luiz, assistant manager David Platt believes.
Aguero will not face retrospective action over his two-footed challenge on the Chelsea defender in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley Stadium.
With referee Chris Foy having awarded a free kick at the time of the incident, the English Football Association considers the matter to have been dealt with. Some observers have said the tackle warranted a red card but the FA does not like to "re-referee" incidents which have been seen by officials.
Platt said: "I wasn't surprised, based on the rules the FA has put in place if the officials have seen it. There have been precedents set, and not only have precedents been set, they've actually gone on record and said if that's the case - I wasn't surprised. The rules are the rules. We don't make them up, we adhere by them."
City manager Roberto Mancini has felt his team have suffered from some poor decisions this season, most notably when captain Vincent Kompany was sent off against Arsenal in January.
The defender's red card was later overturned on appeal.
Platt has dismissed a suggestion that luck has evened itself out.
He said: "I don't know if it's luck and whether we've had it. What is luck? I am not sure."
Platt was speaking on Mancini's behalf at a news conference to preview tonight's game against cup final opponents Wigan Athletic.
Playmaker David Silva, who missed the game at Wembley with a hamstring injury, is more likely to return against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
Platt said: "I think we will probably be pragmatic about it. We will see how he feels today but I think we'll probably give him a full week's training before the game at the weekend."
Roberto Martinez, the Wigan manager, will take into account the after effects of their semi-final victory over Millwall in selecting his team to face City.
Martinez restored Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi for Wembley, having preferred Joel Robles for the previous four matches, and Al Habsi will expect to keep his place.
Having started with the same 10 outfield players for five successive unbeaten games Martinez may freshen things up, especially with a crucial encounter against West Ham United at the weekend.
* Press Association
10.45pm, Abu Dhabi Sports
