It should be red for Robben, CRC coach - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The 2014 FIFA World Cup

It should be red for Robben, CRC coach

ROBBEN-DIVESALVADOR, July 5- Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto Friday said the referee should consider sending off the Netherlands’ self-confessed diver Arjen Robben if he catches him cheating in their World Cup quarter-final.

Pinto said he was “really worried about Robben diving” and he urged Uzbek official Ravshan Irmatov not to be afraid to give him two yellow cards for simulation if necessary.

His comments come after Robben won a match-deciding penalty in the Netherlands’ 2-1 last-16 win over Mexico and then admitted diving earlier in the game.

“This is one of the most important questions I have been asked. In this World Cup diving is something that has us worried,” Pinto told journalists in Salvador.

“We’re really worried about it. I would like to ask FIFA and the referees to watch Robben closely.

“I think Robben is one of the three or four best players in the world. I have a website, jorgeluispinto.com where I analyse him as a player. He’s amazing, he’s a great player.

“But on the other hand there have been refereeing mistakes and the referees need to watch out.”

Robben, 30, went unpunished by FIFA but his comments prompted much condemnation and debate. He has scored three goals in the World Cup and will lead the attack on Saturday.

“We’re really worried about Robben’s diving. He admitted that he dived so I hope the next referee and assistant referees are very careful tomorrow,” Pinto said.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“I respect them a lot but I tell them: watch out. I hope there are no mistakes… so I would like to ask FIFA and the referees to watch out because this is very, very important and it could have an impact on the result.”

Asked whether Irmatov, 36, should book Robben early if he suspects him of diving, Pinto said: “Well that might be the most logical solution.

“Maybe he would have to leave the field because he gets two yellow cards for diving. That could happen. But I want to trust the referees — let’s see what they do tomorrow.”

Wins against Uruguay and Italy helped Costa Rica top a tough Group D and they then beat Euro 2004 winners Greece on penalties despite playing for an hour with 10 men.

However ‘Los Ticos’ remain firm underdogs against a Dutch team which has won four in a row, hitting five past reigning champions Spain at Salvador’s Fonte Nova Arena.

Pinto said he had been taking advice from Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz, who has played for FC Twente and PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch championship.

And despite the pedigree of the Netherlands, who were runners-up to Spain four years ago, defender Johnny Acosta said Costa Rica would not be overawed.

“We’re not scared at all. In Costa Rica we always say that worse things happen at sea,” Acosta said.

“We’re very motivated,” he added. “We’re very happy to be here and we want to keep writing history for our country.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved