Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss blames red card on Scottish accent

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell believes his Scottish accent is the reason he was sent off at Lincoln City last week.

The Grecians boss was sent from the dugout for his reaction to the fourth official after a late winning goal was disallowed for a handball in the 0-0 draw.

Stirling-born Caldwell says he did not use bad language or run towards the fourth official at Sincil Bank.

The former Celtic captain and Scotland defender addressed the issue for the first time on Thursday as his red card meant he was not allowed to conduct post-match interviews after Saturday’s game.

“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 explained to 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.

“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.”