Pamarot accuses Robben of diving

14 April 2012

Arjen Robben and his Chelsea team-mates were today labelled a bunch of "divers" by Tottenham's Noe Pamarot.

The allegation follows the Premiership leaders' controversial 2-0 victory at Spurs on Saturday, when home fans were incensed by incidents involving Holland winger Robben and Alexei Smertin.

Robben went to ground repeatedly under challenges from Spurs defender Pamarot, while the Russia midfielder won a debatable first-half penalty after a challenge by Ledley King.

Frank Lampard converted the spot-kick, before adding the second goal in the dying minutes as Chelsea extended their lead to 10 points.

Pamarot was incensed by Chelsea's behaviour, telling Standard Sport: "There were many Chelsea players diving during the game.

"I don't think anyone thought it was a penalty - except for the referee.

"But it was not just the penalty, Robben was doing it as well and I don't think it's fair.

"He is great player, but he was diving all the time, so you can understand the fans being angry about it."

The key flashpoint in Pamarot's row with Robben was a first-half penalty claim before the Smertin incident. Robben fell inside the area under pressure from the Frenchman, but referee Graham Poll turned down the appeal.

Heated words were then exchanged between the two players.

The "diving" jibe is the latest gamesmanship issue to dog the Premiership leaders. Last week, Jose Mourinho was involved in a war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson over suggestions Manchester United players were trying to "cheat" during their Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

Chelsea's assistant coach Steve Clarke, however, insisted Robben did not dive and the first incident was also worthy of a spot-kick.

He said: "I thought that was a penalty, the one before was a penalty, plus there was another one we should have had in the second half."

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Pamarot accuses Robben of diving

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