The Dutch Football Association have insisted that Arjen Robben has been misquoted in the wake of comments that he made about diving yesterday.

Speaking to Dutch television, the winger was believed to have apologised for throwing himself to the floor when there was no contact during Holland's 2-1 World Cup victory over Mexico.

However, in a statement, the governing body countered: "KNVB is unpleasantly surprised by publications in the media about the Dutch penalty in the match versus Mexico. Media have interpreted statements from Robben in a Dutch post match interview completely wrong.

"In a studio interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, the forward stated that the decision of the referee to give a penalty in the second half of the game was perfectly right. However, in the same interview Robben referred to two situations earlier in the [first half], when he was brought down.

"The striker stated that in one of those situations he should have been granted a penalty, but that in the other case he was falling too easily."

Reports have suggested that Robben's words may have landed him a suspension from FIFA, with an announcement due to be made within the next 24 hours.

Written by
Liam Apicella