Van Persie: I exaggerate falls

Robin van Persie has admitted he has exaggerated a fall if he feels the challenge warrants a penalty as the issue of diving continues apace. Van Persie's comments come after his team-mate Eduardo was banned by UEFA for alleged diving against Celtic in the Champions League qualifier although his suspension was subsequently overturned. Asked if he had exaggerated a fall, Van Persie told The Times: "Yes, I have. Sometimes when you are in the middle of the action and you get a little push then you are in the right to show the ref that you are pushed. He added: "That's not really diving. It's just showing,'Come on, he just pushed me, so I can't score now.' "You sometimes have a little movement with your arms or with your body, but I don't think that's really cheating. "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. "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). "For example, after the whole Eduardo thing, when I had the ball on the right side and I cut it back. "(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?' "Some people don't see these little pushes and they can give you a whole different picture to what the situation really is."

Source: Eurosport