Sanchez sorry over remarks

Fulham boss admits Arsenal did not dive

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 14th August 2007

sanchez

Sanchez: Sorry

Lawrie Sanchez has apologised for accusing Arsenal players of diving during the 2-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday.

The Gunners equalised from the penalty spot after Kolo Toure was brought down by Carlos Bocanegra.

The Fulham boss spoke of simulation after the final whistle, questioning the penalty decision after three similar incidents of Arsenal players going down in the box had gone unpunished earlier in the game.

But he has now admitted he was wrong to speak out without seeing replays first, and concedes that Arsenal could have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Alexander Hleb in the first half.

"I've got to hold my hands up and say I was wrong to a certain extent," Sanchez told Sky Sports News.

"The incident regarding Hleb was probably a good shout for a penalty.

"My initial instinct as a manager is always to protect my own players so, without seeing the incident, I spoke perhaps a bit too rashly.

"That said, the one for the penalty I've seen them given and I've seen them not given.

"But I was speaking too much with adrenaline. Sometimes you shoot from the hip when you should wait a little bit longer."