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Wayne Rooney does not want to get dragged into the diving debate and insists he is always 'honest' when he steps onto the football field.
The Manchester United striker won and then converted a crucial penalty for his side in Saturday's 2-1 Old Trafford victory over Arsenal.
England international Rooney was brought down by Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia when the visitors were leading 1-0.
While replays confirmed contact was made, there have been suggestions that the forward was already going to ground when he was caught by the Spaniard.
But any allegation he cheated is something the 23-year-old strongly rejects.
"Everyone who watches me play knows I am an honest player," he said. "I play the game as honestly as I can.
"If the referee gives a penalty there is nothing you can do. It is a penalty.
"If they want to take punishment further it is down to Uefa and the people who run the game. As players you just want to play."
Difficult
Rooney believes the referee remains the best person to make a decision on all incidents and does not advocate any introduction of TV replays on contentious decisions.
The former Everton man also feels that the problem is not increasing, but is simply being given greater coverage with the game under growing scrutiny.
He added: "It is difficult to prove.
"You see some that should not have been penalties but get given and others that are clear and do not.
"The decisions are down to the referee. It is a difficult job but they do the best they can.
"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."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 50,00.html
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Or is he just a hypocrite...
The Manchester United striker won and then converted a crucial penalty for his side in Saturday's 2-1 Old Trafford victory over Arsenal.
England international Rooney was brought down by Gunners goalkeeper Manuel Almunia when the visitors were leading 1-0.
While replays confirmed contact was made, there have been suggestions that the forward was already going to ground when he was caught by the Spaniard.
But any allegation he cheated is something the 23-year-old strongly rejects.
"Everyone who watches me play knows I am an honest player," he said. "I play the game as honestly as I can.
"If the referee gives a penalty there is nothing you can do. It is a penalty.
"If they want to take punishment further it is down to Uefa and the people who run the game. As players you just want to play."
Difficult
Rooney believes the referee remains the best person to make a decision on all incidents and does not advocate any introduction of TV replays on contentious decisions.
The former Everton man also feels that the problem is not increasing, but is simply being given greater coverage with the game under growing scrutiny.
He added: "It is difficult to prove.
"You see some that should not have been penalties but get given and others that are clear and do not.
"The decisions are down to the referee. It is a difficult job but they do the best they can.
"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."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 50,00.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Or is he just a hypocrite...
