Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto believes referees should consider sending off the Netherlands’ selfconfessed diver Arjen Robben if he catches him cheating in their World Cup quarter-final.
Pinto said he was “really worried about Robben diving” and he urged Uzbek official Ravshan Irmatov not to be afraid to give him two yellow cards for simulation if necessary.
His comments come after Robben won a match-deciding penalty in the Netherlands’ 2-1 last-16 win over Mexico and then admitted diving earlier in the game.
“This is one of the most important questions I have been asked. In this World Cup diving is something that has us worried,” Pinto said.
“We’re really worried about it. I would like to ask FIFA and the referees to watch Robben closely.
“I think Robben is one of the three or four best players in the world. I have a website, jorgeluispinto. com where I analyse him as a player. He’s amazing, he’s a great player. “But on the other hand there have been refereeing mistakes and the referees need to watch out.”
Robben, 30, went unpunished by FIFA but his comments prompted much condemnation and debate.
He has scored three goals in the World Cup and will leadthe Dutch attack today.
“We’re really worried about Robben’s diving,” Pinto said.
“He admitted that he dived so I hope the next referee and assistant referees are very careful tomorrow.
“I respect them a lot but I tell them: watch out. I hope there are no mistakes. So I would like to ask FIFA and the referees to watch out because this is very, very important and it could have an impact on the result.”
Asked whether Irmatov, 36, should book Robben early if he suspects him of diving, Pinto said: “Well that might be the most logical solution.
“Maybe he would have to leave the field because he gets two yellow cards for diving. That could happen. But I want to trust the referees – let’s see what they do tomorrow.”
There is an element of Dutch influence running through Pinto’s Costa Rica side.
While the Colombian admitted earlier in the week he is a staunch follower of Jose Mourinho’s footballing philosophy, Pinto studied at the University of Cologne early in the 1980s when Dutch coach Rinus Michels was leading the city’s Bundesliga club.
“When I didn’t have classes, I saw the club practice. I saw many things and learnt a lot,” he said.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Netherlands (3-4-1-2)
Cillesen; De Vrij, Vlarr, Indi; Janmaat, Wijnaldum, Blind, Kuyt; Sneijder; Robben, Van Persie
Costa Rica (5-4-1)
Navas; Gamboa, Umana, Gonzalez, Acosta, Diaz; Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Bolanos; Campbell
PREDICTION
Costa Rica's magical run has to end eventually, and it will be the Dutch who send them home with a 3-0 loss.
