Robben escapes Fifa sanction after diving controversy

Arjen Robben has escaped punishment from Fifa after he admitted diving during the Netherlands’ late win over Mexico — a "stupid action" the winger hopes everyone can move on from.

The Oranje produced a remarkable late comeback on Sunday to deny Mexico a first quarter-final in 28 years, with Wesley Sneijder levelling before substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar struck from the spot in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win.

Robben was taken down by Rafael Marquez for the deciding spot-kick and insisted after the match it was “definitely a foul”, although he made headlines by admitting he did dive earlier in the match.

The Bayern Munich winger apologised immediately after the game for taking a tumble and did so again at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro yesterday, just hours after Fifa confirmed no action would be taken against him.

Fifa head of media Delia Fischer said the disciplinary committee would only look retrospectively at “serious infringements” of fair play rules and that Robben would face no action — a decision the winger had expected.

Asked if he thought he would be sanctioned, Robben said: “No, not at all, why? No.

“I was not afraid, no. I am an honest guy. It had no influence on the game.

“It’s a shame because yesterday in an interview after the game I was very honest. Maybe sometimes you are punished for honesty, but I always prefer to be honest.

“I said there was one foul in the first half where I went to the ground because I thought he would tackle me, but he took his leg away at the last moment and I went to the ground without a touch.

“It was a stupid action from me, but it had no influence on the game, had nothing to do with the penalty kick.

“In the first half we should have had a penalty kick and in the second half the penalty at the end was a clear foul.

“It is a shame there is so much discussion because we put on a great performance as a team.

“Sometimes, you know, I like to be honest and I apologise for this action in the first half, but that is football. It had nothing to do with the result of the game.”

In the aftermath of Sunday’s game, Mexico coach Miguel Herrera’s accused Robben of committing three dives during the match in Fortaleza.

Robben had no problem with such opinions and will remain as honest as ever, despite uproar following his comments.

“I don’t change myself,” he said. That’s my personality.

“I think it’s good. I apologised for one stupid action, but it didn’t have an influence in the game.

“We had two clear penalties, one was given. That is it. I don’t think we should talk about it any more.”