Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale speaks to ref over diving claims

Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has spoken to referee Andre Marriner over why he continues to get booked for diving as fears over a negative reputation grows.

The Wales international has picked up four yellow cards, more than any other player in the Premier League, for diving this season.

Despite some accusing the 23-year-old of being a serial diver, Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas has defended the player and can't understand why he is being singled out.

"We have received the visit of the referee this week," the Daily Mail quotes Villas-Boas as saying. "We have spoken, me and Gareth, with the referee about the situation.

"He has had potentially-career threatening injuries and sometimes for the pace that he goes at it looks like a dive from the player when he is actually protecting himself. He told me that."

Meanwhile, Spurs are preparing to go head to head with Swansea City this weekend.