Thaindian News

London, Sep 6(ANI): Croatian coach Slaven Bilic has blasted England skipper John Terry over his comments about the Eduardo diving affair, and said that he has known Eduardo for years, and he does not dive intentionally.

“John Terry is not talking like that when Didier Drogba goes down for Chelsea. I am not saying Drogba is a diver. I adore him as a player, but I’m saying when they get a penalty they’re not accusing their own team-mates,” The Sun quoted Bilic, as saying.

“If anyone knows him (Eduardo) I know him. He is no diver. He is a good guy, a sportsman, a professional and a role model of fair play. Sometimes he waits for a contact. Maybe it wasn’t a penalty against Celtic but you can’t say there was no contact,” he added.

Croatian and Arsenal striker Eduardo was banned for two matches by UEFA for alleged simulation to win a penalty in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Celtic in a Champions League qualifier.

Terry had said that the ban on Eduardo was harsh, adding that he think that Eduardo had dived which was something that English players don’t do due to their inherent honesty.

Bilic further said that the attack on Eduardo may be potential mind games to put pressure on him before Croatia’s World Cup qualifier against England.

“I don’t care why John Terry did this but it’s all part of the game. If we’re talking about 100 per cent fair play it’s also not fair play from Terry to say something like that before the game if he wants to put pressure on the referee,” Bilic said.”That would not be fair play in the same sense as what he was saying about Eduardo, accusing a fellow professional of these things,” he added. (ANI)