The Latics were the victims of a triple injustice at Chelsea on Saturday when Branislav Ivanovic was not spotted appearing to strike Shaun Maloney before the Serbian scored the opening goal despite being offside.

Juan Mata netted an injury-time winner when he was also offside and team-mates directly in front of goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi were also standing beyond the last defender.

Referees' chief Mike Riley has apologised to Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, but after a weekend when Shaun Derry was sent off for QPR and then had his one-match ban for a debatable foul on Ashley Young - who was also offside - upheld, but Mario Balotelli escaped any sanction for a reckless challenge on Arsenal's Alex Song, Whelan has decided it is time for the FA to act.

Referees need help

"Referees cannot be right 100% of the time," Whelan told Sky Sports News. "They need help desperately.

"Had the referee been able to ask if there was anything wrong with the goal he gets the information.

"I don't understand why we don't break away from FIFA on rules like this and say we are going to turn to technology.

"We have to say to Mr Blatter, whatever you say, the Premier League will help our officials with more technology.

"Tell them, quite simply. Tennis, cricket, rugby, rugby league. Why not football? Why can't we get the decisions 99.9% correct."

Double standards

"We have to think 'Is this a real world?" Whelan added. "We conceded a goal against Blackburn earlier this season when the lad (Morten Gamst Pedersen) dribbled it from a corner in front of a referee, two linesmen and a fourth official. That is unthinkable.

"Then we get the decision at Chelsea, when the lad is three yards offside.

"Had it happened to one of the big four clubs there would have been a lot more commotion. It happens to Wigan and gets brushed under the carpet. It is double standards."