Southgate dives in to brand Ronaldo ‘a cheat’

CRISTIANO RONALDO should think long and hard should the opportunity ever arise for him to join Torquay United. There are more than the obvious reasons why it may not be a wise career move.

The League Two club have made a small but significant stance against the increasing prevalence of diving, by threatening to sack any of their players who attempt to con referees under a “three strikes and you’re out” regime.

Ronaldo would have been on the brink of his P45 inside the first-half, acquainting himself with the Riverside turf in a self-propelled manner that would have bordered on the ridiculous had it not played such a central role in the leaders’ increasing their advantage over second-placed Chelsea to six points courtesy of a ninth victory in their last 10 league games.