Robben defends comments after FIFA rule out action

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Robben defends comments after FIFA rule out action

AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA

Arjen Robben on Monday defended his admission of diving during Holland's last 16 victory over Mexico as FIFA confirmed he would not be punished for the remarks.

Robben, who won a match-winning penalty as the Dutch downed Mexico 2-1 on Sunday, whipped up a storm of controversy after later telling Dutch television he had dived in an earlier incident.

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) hit out at the way Robben's comments had been reported, insisting he had been misinterpreted.

But speaking a few hours after FIFA confirmed he would face no disciplinary action over the comments, Robben admitted he had made "one stupid action."

Asked for his reaction to the furore, Robben told reporters: "It's a shame because I was very honest.

"Sometimes honesty is punished. I prefer honesty.

"During the first half, there was a foul, I went to the ground because I thought he would tackle but then he removed his leg.

"It's a pity because people forget a great performance by the entire team. And that's the main thing. Sometimes I am honest. I apologise but that's football.

"It was one stupid action and it had no influence on the game. We had two clear penalties situation, only one was given. No need to talk about it anymore."

FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer earlier ruled out any possibility of retrospective actions when asked about Robben's post-match comments.

Fischer said sanctioning after the fact only applied to "serious infringements of foul play which have escaped the notice of the match officials."

Robben has long been accused of being a serial diver and last season engaged in an angry war of words with Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal coach lost his cool on English television following a Champions League game with Bayern Munich.

"Robben is very good at getting something out of nothing, he's a good diver, but that's part of his game," Wenger said after Bayern eliminated Arsenal in March.

"I expect more of great managers, they don't need to resort to claims like that," Robben responded.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-07-01

[ronrat]

Bloody cheat. FIFA should change the rules. Every penalty is automatically reviewed and in the Wold Cup if a player has dived he is red carded and a penalty awarded to the other side.

[Bernard Flint]

I just hope he doesnt come to the premier league, we have enough of divers

Suarez

Bale( gone)

Sturridge

Sterling

seems like Liverpool are good trainers.

[wabothai]

Football as in the old days is not football any more.

There is TOO much at stake.

[rixalex]

Wants a pat on the back for being honest about his dishonest cheating behavior. Hope we never see this infuriating idiot back in the Premier League. Does the rest of the Dutch squad a disservice.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ XA using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[silver sea]

Asked for his reaction to the furore, Robben told reporters: "It's a shame because I was very honest. Sometimes honesty is punished. I prefer honesty."

It's a shame that there's not a rule whereby the referee can ask the player there and then: "Did you dive?" This would have saved Robben having to wait until after the match was over to be honest.

[boomerangutang]

I respect Robben for being frank enough to say what he said.

In today's paper he mentions 'telling the truth.'

Telling the truth, is considered silly or even self-debilitating by most people in the world. Top of the list of habitual liars are mafia, politicians, salespeople, lawyers, wives, husbands, teenagers. Not telling lies is a rare trait. Kudos to you Robben. I'd like to meet you, dude.

[boomerangutang]

I just hope he doesnt come to the premier league, we have enough of divers

Suarez

Bale( gone)

Sturridge

Sterling

seems like Liverpool are good trainers.

They probably learned from the Italians, who wrote the book: Diving For Dummies.

subtitle: 'How we Italians learned to fake injuries, and how it helped us win many World Cup football games.'

[Buckeye21]

If a player is caught diving, even after the game he should be suspended for the next game, he does it again make it 5 games. Just a dream, I know FIFI will do nothing.