Sanchez hits back in Ronaldo 'dive' storm

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A furious Ferguson hit out at Niemi for getting Ronaldo booked for diving when one-on-one with the keeper during Manchester United's 2-0 win over Fulham last night.

The United boss believed Ronaldo should have been awarded a spot kick from which he might have secured his hat-trick, but referee Rob Styles seemed to be swayed by Niemi protesting he had not touched Ronaldo.

Ferguson said: "The penalty-kick incident was the result of a perceived idea of the referee that Ronaldo dives. But in fairness to the referee, in this case, the goalkeeper has conned him. Without question, the goalkeeper got Ronaldo booked.

"Why would he want to dive? He's gone full pelt, he's got the ball by the goalkeeper, he's on a hat-trick, there's no reason to dive. It was a ridiculous decision.

"You could see Niemi's reaction immediately as Ronaldo has gone down, and that was unfair."

Sanchez saw it differently, though, insisting: "Obviously Antti didn't feel any contact with his feet so he assumed that Ronaldo has jumped over the top of him and then gone to ground. There was no contact. Watch the replays. Antti didn't touch Ronaldo and that was all he was trying to point out to the referee."

Ronaldo, himself, refused to condemn Styles even though he insisted it was a penalty.

The winger, runner-up to Kaka in the European Footballer of the Year Award, was not as forceful as his manager, and insisted it was simply a bad call.

"I try to do my job and I try to play honestly," he said. "I respect the referee's decision, but I do not have the same opinion because I thought it was a penalty. If you see the replay, the goalkeeper never touched the ball, so it is frustrating the referee gave me a yellow card."

Fulham are hovering only two points above the drop zone and face a tricky trip to Everton on Saturday. But last night's victory for United - their seventh straight home win - lifted them back to second in the Premier League, three points adrift of Arsenal who have a game in hand. Ferguson added: "It is going to be a real battle."