Premiership: Pires refutes diving claim

Winger Robert Pires has become the latest Arsenal player to defend his reputation against diving allegations by insisting he is not a cheat.

Pires was booked for diving by referee Andy D’Urso during the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Middlesbrough last Saturday, the second time he has been cautioned for that offence this season.

However, Pires, who is in talks about an extension to his Arsenal contract, insisted: ‘‘I do not dive and I didn’t look for a penalty.

‘‘That is not the reputation I want to get. I know it is hard for referees but I was very upset to be given those two yellow cards.

‘‘In both cases, at West Ham and against Middlesbrough, there was contact made on me. At West Ham, I just got up immediately and tried to get the ball.’’

Referees are increasingly clamping down on any perceived diving, leading to a rash of yellow and red cards in the FA Barclaycard Premiership.

Arsenal team-mate Giovanni van Bronckhorst was sent off at Anfield just before Christmas, with his second yellow card being given by referee Paul Durkin for diving.

‘‘It was the same for Giovanni at Liverpool. He was very upset to be shown the yellow card because he did not turn round and call for a penalty,’’ Pires said.

‘‘I want to build my reputation as a footballer, not as someone who dives. And I have never dived deliberately to get an opponent in trouble or to win a penalty for my team. Never. And yet to be cautioned twice for that offence looks bad for me.’’

Another Arsenal team-mate, full-back Ashley Cole, also insisted recently he is not a cheat after being accused of exaggerating contact with Craig Bellamy, with the Newcastle striker subsequently winning an appeal over his red card.