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AVB wants action on divers

by Setanta Staff , 11 February 2012 Chelsea

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas wants the Premier League to back referees in helping them punish players guilty of simulation.


The Portuguese tactician was left fuming after watching his Blues side denied three points against Manchester United last Sunday when he claimed referee Howard Webb was conned into awarding the Red Devils two soft penalities to get them back into the match having trailed 3-0 at one stage.

Wayne Rooney converted both spot kicks, before Javier Hernandez's late header ensured United left Stamford Bridge with a share of the spoils.

However, Villas-Boas was particularly unhappy with the award of United's second penalty as he felt striker Danny Welbeck had deliberately stuck his leg out in order to trip over Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic.

And he is looking for Premier League bosses to start assisting match officials so they can determine the difference between players who have genuinely been fouled and those looking to make the most of challenges to win favourable decisions.

"Referees have pretty clear orders on simulation, but it is difficult for them to assess the difference between simulation and fouls in those situations," Villas-Boas told reporters at his press conference ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton.

"They need the right backing to decide on these actions, and when it is simulation a yellow card should be given."

Villas-Boas added: "In the end it is the player who proves his smartness, some are called cheats and divers, others are clever and smart for making the most of the situation, depending on your perspective.

"These are situations that happen in the games. The referee has to have the correct focus, the correct view."

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