Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk was furious over suggestions that Arjen Robben had cheated in Friday’s famous 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat of Brazil.
The Bayern Munich winger was widely perceived to have deliberately dived to win a freekick which resulted in the Dutch drawing level with Brazil at 1-1 eight minutes after the break.
The set-piece was taken short, enabling Wesley Sneijder to work the ball into space and deliver a left-footed inswinger into a congested goalmouth.
Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar came off his line to try and punch the ball clear but collided with Felipe Melo and the ball skimmed off the midfielder’s head and into the net.
In another match-turning incident Melo was later shown a red card for a stamp on Robben.
Van Marwijk was challenged on the importance of Robben ‘winning’ the all-important freekick at the post match press conference.
Once he had identified the journalist who had put the question he told him: “I think that’s chauvinistic.
“Our opponents tried to provoke us more than we tried to provoke them. You could see that from the beginning.”
On Melo’s sending off he added: “I’ve seen the images of the red card situation, and you would be ashamed, ashamed for Brazilian football.”
Meanwhile, veteran defender Andre Ooijer hopes his World Cup run will boost his chances of finding a new club after PSV Eindhoven opted not to offer him an extended deal.
“It bothers me, but at the moment I have other things on my mind,” said the 35-year-old.
“I wasn’t nervous out there. I’m not 18, I am almost 36. I am the daddy of this group, but I feel there’s a lot of maturity amongst the younger players. I am convinced this team can become world champions.”
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Sky Stadium is about to witness one of its greatest days. Melbourne Victory are headed east, with ambitions to topple Wellington’s Phoenix and pinch…
The football pundit raised some eyebrows given Celtic have won the league 12 out of the last 13 seasons.
Jamie Maclaren may have played his last game in Australia after the outgoing Melbourne City captain was not included in the A-League Men All…
Did Stefan Ortega save the title for Man City?
Ange was not happy after Spurs' 2-0 loss to Manchester City. He questioned the club's 'foundations' post-match.
Rodrigo Bentancur was unimpressed after being subbed off in the 55th minute of Tottenham's 2-0 loss to Manchester City.
