Reuters

Grant defends Drogba over diving claims

Updated 09.30 Wed Apr 30 2008

Keywords: didier drogba, avram grant, rafael benitez, liverpool, chelsea, champions league, football, sport

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has accused Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez of playing mind games by accusing Didier Drogba of diving.

Benitez claims he has been keeping track of Drogba's 'diving' for four years but Grant has defended his star striker and claims Benitez is trying to influence the officials ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

"I think he has tried to affect the referee so he does not do his job" - Avram Grant

Grant said: "I don't think he is a diver at all. He's a good player. He's a powerful player, so the referee needs to look at what happens to him more.

"If you look at the video and see what Jamie Carragher did to him in the first game, you will see the referee was very polite. Because he looks so powerful, defenders think there are other ways to stop him.

"I will not speak about the players of Liverpool and what they do. I don't like it when others speak about mine.

"Rafa can say whatever he wants to say. I say what I think. Ask him why he's saying that. I think the reason is clear. One way to stop him is to use power more than ever. I think he has tried to affect the referee so he does not do his job."