FIFA ends speculation, says won't punish Arjen Robben for diving

Arjen Robben’s dive earned Netherlands a win and a ticket to the next round

FIFA has decided not to punish Netherland's Arjen Robben after the Winger accepted that he had dived in the first half of Netherlands match against Mexico.

FIFA head of media Delia Fischer said that FIFA would look only into those acts which carry serious infringement of rules and 'diving’ is an offence susceptible to be penalised as a yellow card and the referees are at fault for their inability to detect such events on the field.

"Simulation is not something we want to see on the field of play but the referees are trained to identify these simulations and punish them by showing yellow cards.

"The disciplinary committee will look into serious infringements.

"We appeal to the spirit of fair play which is the over-arching message we have,” said Fischer while addressing a news conference.

The Dutch Football Association on its official website said that media had misinterpreted the quotes by Robben and the Winger was referring to his dive which he had committed in the first half and not in the second half which was clearly a foul.

Speculations

Netherlands frontman Arjen Robben faces the possibility of being punished by FIFA despite admitting that he had dived during Netherlands Round of 16 face-off against Mexico.

Arjen Robben had admitted that he had dived in the first half near the penalty area, but no foul was given. The other time the 30 year old fell down, Klaas Jan Huntelaar converted the penalty which ultimately sent the Oranje to the Quarter-Finals.

Robben had apologised for his diving. but claimed he didn't do it to get a penalty for his side.

"I apologise. In the first half I took a dive."

Despite the apology the event has angered various people related to the Football fraternity. Mexico Coach, Miguel Herrera has accused Robben of diving three times during the match while in February, FIFA president Sepp Blatter had called for officials to take strict measures against players who retort to unfair play.

"Video evidence can be used for serious breaches of the principle of fair play such as brawling, spitting at opponents, verbal insults and racist slurs, or for incorrectly awarded red or yellow cards. In cases such as these we must make use of the avenues already open to us and intervene after the event if necessary”.

''In this context, we should include the faking of injury, intentional diving or time-wasting in our considerations,"Blatter had written in FIFA’s monthly magazine.

FIFA, despite Robben’s admittance of guilt may still charge him under article 57 and article 77 which gives FIFA disciplinary committee the authority to punish a player for an offence which may have missed the attention of the officials during the match.

The Dutch Football Association claimed that Robben’s comments where misinterpreted and ‘he fell down rather too easily’.

The 30 year olf Bayern Munich player will address a press conference later on Monday to comment on the scandal.