Roma stars spark fury by calling Ronaldo a diver
EXCLUSIVE by IAN LADYMAN
Last updated at 11:16 02 April 2007
Roma stoked up a Champions
League firestorm last night with
Manchester United, accusing
Cristiano Ronaldo of being a diver ahead
of Wednesday’s quarter-final clash in Italy.
After taking a step closer to the Premiership title
with a breathtaking comeback to beat Blackburn
4-1 on Saturday, United head to Rome’s Stadio
Olimpico tomorrow amid a fresh cheating row.
Scroll down to read more:
Roma’s Christian Panucci and Amantino Mancini
turned up the heat on the referee, who will be
named today, by singling out Ronaldo for a
torrent of criticism which is sure to enrage United
manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Panucci, formerly of Chelsea, said: "Ronaldo’s
class is unquestionable. But I believe he abuses his dribbling talents and
always exaggerates his
falls. A lot will depend on
the referee but in Roma
Ronaldo will not be
daring enough to do it
because he knows we
will not fall for his tricks."
Ferguson believes the
Portugal star has cut out
the play-acting but
Ronaldo has been
criticised recently by
Middlesbrough’s Gareth
Southgate and George
Boateng and it appears
he will be singled out for
special treatment this
week.
Roma’s Brazilian
striker Mancini said: "Ronaldo is almost
perfect in the art of
dribbling but the Italian
defenders are harder
than anywhere else and
he will be taking a big
risk if he tries any
exhibition stuff. I’ve
watched Premier
League matches and he
is protected by referees.
I don’t think he will be on
Wednesday."
Roma captain Francesco
Totti was also upset that
Ferguson omitted him
when asked to name the
club’s most dangerous
players. Totti said: "I am
not worried about what
Ferguson thinks of me as
he will see for himself. I
hope I will make him
remember my name."
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