Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

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Rooney refutes dive claims

03 Sep 2009 - 16:13:13

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has denied suggestions that he is a diver after it was alleged that he deceived the referee to win a penalty in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Arsenal.

The 23-year-old England international appeared to already be heading to the ground when Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia upended him during the action-packed Old Trafford encounter.

However, the former Everton star said in the build-up to England's friendly international against Slovenia: "Everyone who watches me play knows I'm an honest player.

"I play the game as honestly as I can. If the referee gives a penalty there's nothing you can do. It's a penalty.

"If they want to take punishment further it's down to UEFA and the people who run the game. As players you just want to play.

"Diving has been in the game for years. Probably the coverage the game gets now, with all the cameras around, it gets highlighted a bit more. But it hasn't got any worse.

"You see some that shouldn't have been penalties but get given and others that are clear and don't. The decisions are down to the referee. It's a difficult job but they do the best they can."