Huckerby: I'm No Diver

Last updated : 19 January 2004 By Thomas Rooney

Huckerby was quick to defend himself having been criticised of diving in Norwich's 4-4 draw with Rotherham at Millmoor. These diving acquisitions made by Rotherham sparked a melee as the players entered the tunnel for half time.
“First and foremost it was a definite penalty,” he said. “As I went past their defender he put his hands on me and tried to pull me down. Look at it on the TV. I'm in the box, I've already gone past him. He can't put his hands on me there. It was a foul.

“After that I think their manager has let himself down a little bit by what he did. He was upset because his defender had made a mistake, it's as simple as that. If he had a problem he should have had a go at the defender, not me.

“He said his bit and I just walked away. I didn't really see what happened after that.”

Nigel Worthington also jumped to the defence of his star striker claiming it was a penalty and that Ronnie Moore was wrong to confront Huckerby the way he did.

“Darren's not gone over, he's had his legs taken away from him,” he said. “It was stone-cold penalty.

“The business at half-time is all part of football. Ronnie Moore said something. Put that down to frustration.”

Ronnie Moore was sent to the stands at half time and was clearly frustrated as to what he had done wrong.

I'd love to know why the referee sent me off because I haven't got a clue,” he said. “The referee came into the dressing room at half-time and said he was sending off Guy Branston for violent conduct and he then sent me to the stand and said I was not allowed in the dug-out area for the second half. I asked for an explanation but he didn't give me one.

“I just went up to Darren Huckerby and said: 'I hope you are pleased with yourself for diving in the box.'

“Huckerby replied: 'Have a look at the video.' That's all that was said. I just went up to express my feelings to the player.

“With hindsight I wish I hadn't done that now – but that's the way things go in football sometimes. It was one of those games. Emotions were running high, I probably should have kept quiet but something is wrong if you get sent off for something as ridiculous as that.”

Having seen the footage of the penalty decision I believe it was probably a soft penalty. However I do not believe Huckerby dived. He just fell to the floor under pressure from a defender. As for the game well, we probably should have won it but being 4-3 down with a couple of minutes to go I think I might have settled for the 4-4 draw.

On the ball...........

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