The gesture will cost the squad between £10,000 and £40,000, depending on which report is to be believed. News of the players' contrition was quickly picked up by global media. Captain Mario Melchiot said: 'This is something we feel we owe to the fans.'
HOW I SEE IT - James Clifford, Co-founder, Clifford French
Footballers are frequently accused of being detached from fans, only concerned about the size of their pay packet. So when a club appears to defy this notion, what happens? Sceptics among us go into overdrive.
In the case of Wigan, I think this is unjust. They are revered as one of the few remaining 'family clubs' in the Barclays Premier League - a standing epitomised by chairman Dave Whelan, who puts love of the game ahead of a fast buck.
Players expressed their 'embarrassment' for the abysmal performance - feelings familiar to every fan watching the game. Cynics may say this was a contrived move that would not have come about had the game been a home fixture with a potential 20,000 fans to reimburse. I say it is a breath of fresh air. Fans now know the players realise a club is about much more than just the 11 players on the pitch.
