Arsenal great Robert Pires hits back at 'diving' claims: 'I looked for a foul, but I never dived'

On Wednesday, Pires was accused by Danny Mills of being "the player who really brought diving into the English game", saying that "his habit of throwing himself to the ground without any provocation always infuriated me."

But the former Arsenal star has hit back in an article in The Times.

"I didn't bring diving to England," Pires wrote.

"There was one controversy against Portsmouth, but there was contact.

"When you run fast with the ball and dribble, a slight touch from a defender or even movement towards you can unbalance you.

"I looked for a foul sometimes, I provoked the defender for sure and most of the time I dribbled past, but I never dived and have never intentionally disrespected anyone."

Pires's defence echoes that used for Gareth Bale during his final season at Tottenham, when repeated accusations of diving were countered by the player saying he was easily toppled since he was running so fast, and that he went to ground easily in order to avoid injury.

At the time, our expert columnist Paul Parker said, "I would have more respect if Bale fronted up and said that he does go to ground when the opportunity arises, because he's trying to help his team win. That's what they would say in countries like Argentina, where there is no stigma about diving - you might not like it from a moral standpoint, but at least it's a straightforward approach."

That view still rings true to us. Frankly, Pires would have won a lot more respect if he'd simply said of Mills's accusation, "What nonsense. People were diving in English football long before I showed up."