Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell says he’ll change his Scottish accent as it keeps getting him sent off by English refs.
The 42 year old believes it’s being perceived as aggressive, leading to him being sent off during matches with it the second time it’s happened this season. Caldwell has mentioned considering “Englifying” his accent to avoid further issues.
He’s also noted this in a somewhat lighthearted way, acknowledging how his wife and others close to him jokingly complain about his tone.
This stems from a recent incident in a 0-0 draw with Lincoln, where he was dismissed despite claiming he didn’t use bad language or act overly confrontational.
Caldwell, born in Stirling, was shocked to be shown a red card, saying he did not use bad language or run towards the fourth official, after a late winning goal was disallowed for a handball.
Video footage saw him go up to the fourth official, unhappy with the decision, then the referee comes over to give him marching orders.
💬”Ultimately we still have a lot to play for and a lot we want to achieve this season.”
Gary Caldwell ahead of Saturday’s match against @Wrexham_AFC at SJP ⬇️#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/cuWVTsX976
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) March 27, 2025
“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 as his side prepare to host Wrexham at the weekend.
“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.”
Caldwell has been issued with a letter from the football authorities regarding his red card, which is his second this year, handed a two-match ban and fined £2,750 after also being shown a red card in the 2-1 defeat away at Wycombe Wanderers in January.
For that red card, he was charged by the FA with two rule breaches. Wycombe had been awarded a 93rd-minute penalty that resulted in them winning the game 2-1 on New Year’s Day.
Caldwell allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the referee and the fourth official.
Speaking last week, Caldwell insisted that he and his coaches do not have a discipline problem. Exeter coach David Perkins was fined £500 by the FA following his red card against Lincoln in November.
“Yes, we’re passionate, yes, we want to defend the football club, but we’re not as bad as the cards would suggest,” he told BBC Radio Devon.
However, he feels that his passion is being mistaken for aggression.
“I think we’re getting a reputation for being ill-disciplined when I just think we’re passionate and want the very best for our football club,” he added.
“I don’t think we’re getting that and ultimately I’m paying the price and 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.
“But this time I genuinely feel like it was very, very harsh – a yellow card would have been more than enough.”
The statement from the Football Association today reads: “Regulation and Discipline update: 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.”
pic.twitter.com/VD0TrApBbJ
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) March 27, 2025
Exeter fume at having ‘perfectly good goal’ vs Lincoln ruled out with Gary Caldwell sent off
The Grecians assistant manager Kevin Nicholson said, per the exetercity.co.uk: “We’ve done everything, including score a perfectly good goal, which has been taken away apparently for handball which is very hard to explain.
“We’re not allowed to talk to officials directly after the game, but we’ll see what he comes back with. I think, in a 50/50 game, they had twice as many fouls and the inconsistency and the frustration that has caused, has put the ref is a very difficult position because of course there is going to be emotion on the sideline.
“It would have been an excellent three points, but it’s still a great point. And it was an excellent defensive performance the back three and the goalkeeper deserve a lot of credit.
“Everyone is doing their job and it allows us to keep clean sheets and stay in games all the way through. A really well done to the whole group.”
