“I have never intentionally tried to dive” says Rooney
September 4th, 2009 - 4:18 pm ICT by ANI
London, Sep 4(ANI): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has stood against the whole diving issue which is surrounding the Premier League and said that he is one of football’s white knights when it comes to fair play.
Recently questions were raised after Rooney won a penalty against Arsenal last week and it was doubted whether he went down before Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia made contact.
“Everyone who watches me knows I am an honest player,” The Sun quoted Rooney, as saying.
“Have I ever dived? On holiday, yeah. But, no, I have never intentionally tried to dive. There have been times when I’ve tried to stay on my feet to get the shot off rather than going down,” he added.
The diving issue has been a topic of debate ever since Arsenal’s Eduardo was accused of diving, which won a penalty against Celtic in the Champions League. Eduardo was banned for two games for the simulation. Rooney further said that if the referee gives a penalty, there is nothing that a player can do and it’s up to the authorities if they want to take the punishment further.
“These things have happened for years and you can only bank on the referees making the right decision and giving the right punishment,” Rooney said.”It’s important the game is played honestly. I’m sure many big games have been decided by wrong decisions. But it’s not down to me to fix, it’s down to other people,” he added. (ANI)
- It could be a payback time for 'forced penalty', Wenger warns Rooney - Jan 30, 2010
- Arsenal to fight Eduardo's 'cheat' ban - Sep 02, 2009
- Bilic blasts Terry over his remarks on Eduardo's diving affair - Sep 07, 2009
- Arsenal delighted as Eduardo ban is overturned - Sep 15, 2009
- Rooney vows to take penalty at Chelsea despite missing against Arsenal - Dec 18, 2010
- UEFA to experiment with five referees to stop diving cheats - Aug 28, 2009
- Terry goads Croatia about Eduardo being a diver ahead of WC qualifier - Sep 05, 2009
- Slovenia captain differs with Rooney on diving controversy - Sep 06, 2009
- Ferguson, Pardew question referee over penalty denial - Apr 20, 2011
- UEFA's dramatic U-turn over Arsenal striker Eduardo's two-match Euro ban - Sep 15, 2009
- Weak Gunners can't take Premier League title, says West Brom's Mulumbu - Mar 22, 2011
- Ferguson 'spitting mad' after getting five-match touchline ban - Mar 17, 2011
- Gunners goalkeeper Szczesny out of action with tendon injury - Mar 11, 2011
- Fergie facing FA rap following diatribe against referee - Mar 02, 2011
- Holders Manchester United cruise into final again - May 06, 2009
Tags: arsenal, authorities, big games, champions league, fair play, game, honest player, london, manchester united, manuel almunia, premier league, referee, referees, right decision, simulation, striker, two games, wayne rooney, white knights, wrong decisions
