Zokora no diver, insists Jol
Martin Jol defends Didier Zokora
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Monday, 02, Oct 2006 08:33
Tottenham coach Martin Jol has come out in defence of Didier Zokora after the Ivory Coast midfielder came under fire for diving to earn his side what proved to be a decisive penalty in the defeat of Portsmouth at White Hart Lane.
Summer signing Zokora tumbled theatrically under a challenge from Portsmouth's former Spurs player Pedro Mendes in the 34th minute and Jermain Defoe duly beat David James from the spot.
But TV replays suggested there had been no contact between Zokora and Mendes, prompting a torrent of criticism to be levied against the highly-rated African.
Jol said: "He assured me that he didn't dive. He said he was off-balance and fell down when Pedro Mendes challenged him."
He added: "I believe he was off-balance because I know this player and I have to believe what he says. You can see him going in all the time and sometimes he does look off-balance.
"But this was not a normal dive. In fact, I don't think I've seen a situation like this in this country before. Some you win - some you lose."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was left fuming with referee Chris Foy, who later apologised for his decision, and he renewed the call for technology to be introduced.
Redknapp said: "He didn't make a mistake on purpose. Referees need help out there. I saw from the big screen that it was no way a penalty about ten seconds before it was taken.
"So why can't the fourth official, who is wired up to the referee, have a monitor by the side of the pitch and tell the ref what really happened? The boy dived and the penalty has cost us dear. People say diving has become too frequent but it has always happened.
"Surely we should use the technology to stamp it out and put things right."