Arjen Robben's dive admission misinterpreted, say Netherlands
Statement made after Robben says he tried for a penalty against Mexico – just not the one given
The Dutch Football Association yesterday hit back at reporting of comments by Arjen Robben about the penalties he claimed in the Netherlands' World Cup victory over Mexico no Sunday.
The association, the KNVB, said Robben's comments, in which he admitted diving to try and get a penalty in the first half, were interpreted "completely wrong".
"KNVB is unpleasantly surprised by publications in the media about the Dutch penalty in the match versus Mexico," read a statement. "Media have interpreted statements from Robben in a Dutch post match interview completely wrong."
The 30-year-old Bayern Munich star won a penalty injury time that was converted by Jan-Klaas Huntelaar for a 2-1 win in Fortaleza.
KNVB is unpleasantly surprised by publications in the media about the Dutch penalty in the match versus Mexico. Media have interpreted statements from Robben in a Dutch post match interview completely wrong
Robben said after the game he had dived in a bid to get a penalty in the first half but that he was definitely fouled in injury time when he fell after a challenge by Mexico captain Rafael Marquez. Robben apologised for his action in the first half.
"In a studio interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, the forward stated that the decision of the referee to give a penalty in the second half of the game was perfectly right," said the KNVB. "However, in the same interview Robben referred to two situations earlier in the match, when he was brought down. The striker stated that in one of those situations he should have been granted a penalty, but that in the other case he was falling too easily."