Wayne Rooney: Yeah, I dive - but only on holiday

Published: 04 Sep 2009 - 10:29:42

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Wayne Rooney: Yeah, I dive - but only on holiday

Wayne Rooney plunged into football's raging debate on diving as hesaid: 'Yeah, I dive. On holiday.' The Manchester United and Englandstriker insists he has never taken a deliberate fall on the pitch. 'I don't think it's fair,' he said. 'I've never intentionallydived. There have been times when I've tried to stay on my feet ratherthan go down. Everyone who watches me play knows I'm an honest player.' There was little dispute that it was a penalty at Old Trafford lastSaturday, when Rooney was tripped by Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia. But Rooney has been accused of diving in the past, most notably inOctober 2004, again against Arsenal, when Sol Campbell seemed to pullhis leg away when challenging the United striker. A penalty was givenand Arsenal lost their 49-game unbeaten Barclays Premier League run. Rooney apologised to Sir Alex Ferguson last season when he went over in the Champions League against Villarreal. 'I think he was anticipating the challenge,' said Ferguson at the time. So, would he dive for England late in the World Cup final? 'Ask me then,' he said with another grin. Spot on: Rooney was tripped by Arsenal keeper Almunia No diving! Beat the cheats by joining Sportsmail's campaign against diversANDY TOWNSEND: Put an end to the diving... kids will copy the starsMATT LAWTON: Stamp out diving, but make sure you get the right manGraham Poll's verdict on the fall guys who must stand up and be counted Explore more:People:Wayne Rooney, Alex FergusonPlaces:United Kingdom