New Chelsea frontman Diego Costa took a bit of a tumble in an attempt to win a penalty for his side during their 3-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor on Monday night. The Brazilian-born Spanish international received a yellow card from referee Michael Oliver following the incident.
Afterwards on Twitter, Gary Neville said that every player at some stage in their career had gone down easily in an attempt "to win a foul."
Diving debates off again on here. Groundhog Day. Every player ( even though it's not right) has gone to ground to win a foul at some point.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) August 18, 2014
Stan Collymore did not agree though.
@GNev2 not according to @StanCollymore
— Russell Botterill (@russbotterill) August 18, 2014
“@russbotterill: @GNev2 not according to @StanCollymore”
I know Stans view and but all players have done it in PL era.
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) August 18, 2014
The Talksport presenter vowed that if Neville could find footage of him taking a dive then he would quit broadcasting.
You've got all the 20+ years of Sky tech @GNev2 . If you can find me diving once, anywhere, in any game, I'll walk from broadcasting.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) August 18, 2014
Neville sought some clarification on Collymore's definition of diving.
@StanCollymore and can we be clear / diving / going to ground easily to win a foul etc etc Yes?
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) August 18, 2014
With Collymore agreeing that it was trying to "win a free kick, pen anywhere on the pitch by diving or pretending."
I'll stick to the original offer @GNev2! I never ever tried to win a free kick, pen anywhere on the pitch by diving or pretending. Ever.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) August 18, 2014
Sounds like Gary Neville will have those Sky Sports researchers working overtime this week.
