Source: SKY_Sports
Van Persie - I exaggerate falls
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Robin van Persie insists he has never had the intention to dive, but the Arsenal striker concedes he has exaggerated contact from an opponent.[LNB] The issue of diving has been a hot topic during the early weeks of the season, with Van Persie's Arsenal team-mate Eduardo earning a two-match suspension for an incident in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Celtic.[LNB]The ban was eventually overturned on appeal, but tackling the problem of diving in football remains a dilemma for the game's governing bodies.[LNB]Van Persie has stressed that he is not diver, but acknowledged his tumbles can look dubious to the naked eye.[LNB]TrickyAsked if he had exaggerated a fall, the Dutchman told The Times: "Yes, I did.[LNB]"Sometimes when you are in the middle of an action and you get a little push and you know there's nothing more to take.[LNB]"Then you are in the right to show in a way to the ref that you are pushed.[LNB]"That's not really diving. It's just showing . . . 'Come on, he just pushed me, so I can't score now.'[LNB]"You sometimes have a little movement with your arms or with your body, but I don't think that's really cheating.[LNB]"It's never my intention to dive, anyway. It is a bit tricky I have to say because I am against divers. It is just not honest.[LNB]"But it is difficult because, sometimes, like I had a little moment against Manchester United [in the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford last month].[LNB]"For example, after the whole Eduardo thing, when I had the ball on the right side and I cut it back.[LNB]"[Patrice] Evra gave me a little push - a really little one - but it sort of outbalanced me. I just fell down and the whole stadium started to boo me. I was, like, 'Come on, can't you see he pushed me?'[LNB]"Some people don't see these little pushes and they can give you a whole different picture to what the situation really is.[LNB]"It doesn't play on my mind, never, because I always have the intention not to dive. But sometimes you are out of balance, it looks a bit funny."[LNB]
