Rooney says sorry for diving

[stokecityscott]

Rooney makes apology for diving
Wayne Rooney
Ferguson said striker Rooney's dive was out of character

Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney apologised to him and opponents Villarreal for diving in Manchester United's 0-0 Champions League draw.

The Spanish team's players were angry after the striker went down in the box, despite no contact with the defender.

"He apologised to me and said he didn't mean to do that," said boss Ferguson.

"I think he's been watching (Villarreal forward) Robert Pires too much. At least he apologised to their players. You'd never see Pires do that." ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ferguson also said he believes that teams are fouling United's Cristiano Ronaldo so often referees think the winger is diving.

A goalless draw was enough to put United into the knockout stages of the tournament.

Their opponents ended the game with 10 men after Joan Capdevila saw red for a foul on Ronaldo and afterwards Ferguson stated: "The systematic fouling on him, that's what's now happening.

"It's a tactic. Eventually the referee thinks he's diving all the time."

Ronaldo had been a doubt for the match after limping out of Saturday's goalless draw at Aston Villa but Ferguson said he was satisfied with the level of protection provided by referee Roberto Rosetti in Spain.

"The referee was very fair and strict with both teams," added Ferguson.

"Capdevila may not have got that red card in England so there is a different interpretation of the physical aspect of the game in European matches."

Stud marks were visible above Ronaldo's knee following the challenge by the Villarreal defender and the United manager thought the referee had made the correct decision with the dismissal.


606: DEBATE
Was the red card for Capdevila correct?

"When you see the tackle again, it was very high," commented Ferguson. "When you go as high as that you risk a red card.

"There were three tackles on Cristiano and I think the referee has quite rightly booked the players and then dished out a red card."

United and Villarreal have now contested four successive goalless draws in the Champions League.

"It is amazing in these four games we have not had a goal," said the Scot.

"I do not know how that is because we are an attacking side and Villarreal have a great record themselves.

"I thought we carried a bigger threat than them. We had better opportunities in the match but we are satisfied we are into the next stage.

"That's what we wanted to achieve. We have an advantage over Villarreal now.

"We have a home game against Aalborg and they have to go to Celtic so hopefully we can win the group."

[Big John RIP]

not to be rude mate but im not bothered i hate Man utd that much.

[stokecityscott]

so do i, but i think its funny

[Bick]

Shouldn't dive, but at least he admits and apologises.

[Deleted]

Nov 26, 2008 14:24:28 GMT Bick said:

Shouldn't dive, but at least he admits and apologises.

It's still c***ish though. Don't do it in the first place!

[steinovschmeichel]

ronaldo dives into tackles and gets fouled. he flicks the ball away and falls into the tackler it then looks like a foul. obviously now and again someone swipes at him. who wouldn;t with a greasy fucker like that infront of ya.

rooney was cuntish but fair dos he held his hands up.

[rambo61]

He ought to apologise for foisting that whiny voiced slagbag on the good people of Blighty !! Scouse cow!! ;D ;D

[walrus]

I dislike him and everything to do with Man United, and I hate the fact that he dived in the first place, but so many players do it these days and it's not often that you see one prepared to own up for it and apologise, so well done to him for that. Still I bet they're all at it again in the derby this weekend.

[th05]

Thats what playing with WANKER does to you.

[Deleted]

At least hopefully we can end this myth now that only Johnny foreigner dives after the theatrics in recent years of Owen, Rooney, Gerrard and mincing cockney thespian Joe Cole.

[Beardy200]

This just reminds me of the Robbie Fowler incident. Everyone tried to say what a great sport he was for getting up and saying it wasn't a penalty ..... truth is he 'dived' first, then realised he'd made such an arse of it that he would be rumbled so played the innocent card. Only problem was the ref was so blind he gave the pen anyway lol That was my take on it anyway, great you admitted it but still a dive in the first place. If it wasn't so obvious no way would he be being so honest.

[jcscfc]

Been taking bets or lessons with Ronaldo Mr Rooney the Gooney (sloth)

[stokie25]

Ronaldo should now be commonly referred to as "WANKER" and so we all know to whom we are referring

[oatcakeeater]

Diving eh? That's the way we should be playing! Nevermind this long throw rubbish, that's not the way football should be played. Diving, that's the way forward!

[offthewall]

agreed the sh*t and wan*er, should be in the oxford english dictionary under the above terms

[Los Alfareros]

I challenged that Ronaldo to a bare knuckle fight in my back yard last Sunday at noon via the internet, and guess what, the little shit didnt turn up!! What a wanker!!

[Deleted]

So now we know Rooney dives, by his own admission - I would expect prem refs to bare this in mind every time he goes to ground. Any doubt, then they should judge it as a dive.

[Davef]

I can't see what the fuss is all about to be perfectly honest.

Let's focus more on Delap's throw ins.

That's what needs stamping out of football.

[crimesy]

I bought this up to a manure fan i know, he still said he hadn't dived ;D

[Los Alfareros]

Diving is the future.

I do 3 a day, 6 days a week, and it pays the mortgage.

Dive til yer toes bleed....