World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 58,817

World Cup | Round of 16

Jun 29, 2014 at 5pm UK

Netherlands
2-1
Mexico

Sneijder (88'), Huntelaar (90+5' pen.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

dos Santos (48')

Arjen Robben escapes punishment over 'diving admission'

By Mark Langshaw, Reporter

Published: June 30 2014 | 23:57

Last updated: July 1 2014 | 13:39

FIFA says that Arjen Robben will not face disciplinary action following reports that he admitted to diving against Mexico.

Netherlands forward Arjen Robben will not face disciplinary action from FIFA after reportedly admitting to diving during his side's 2-1 win over Mexico in the World Cup.

The Bayern Munich man has been quoted as saying that he went over in the box easily during the last-16 encounter, but the governing body has chosen not to punish him.

FIFA's head of media Delia Fischer said that the organisation is only willing to take retrospective action "serious infringements" of fair play rules, while diving is considered a yellow-card offence.

"We must uphold the spirit of fair play," she said. "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."

The Dutch FA has leaped to Robben's defence, insisting that his remarks about diving were "misinterpreted".