Jamie Vardy 'is not a cheat', says Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare
Thursday 16 March 2017 16:19, UK
Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare says Jamie Vardy "is not a cheat" following accusations made by Sevilla midfielder Samir Nasri earlier this week.
Nasri and Vardy clashed when both players were yellow carded for pressing their heads together during the Champions League second leg last-16 encounter at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.
Nasri was already on a yellow card and was therefore sent off, after which he commented: "For me, he's a cheat because if he was a foreign player you, the English press, would be saying he's a cheat. They were winning 2-0, play the game like a man."
However, Shakespeare has defended his striker, saying: "Jamie's not a cheat and never has been, never will be.
"I think Jamie responded well to the comment and we have to put it to bed. The game has gone, the referee made his decision and we have to move on."
Recently-appointed Shakespeare is happy that Vardy's form is back to where it was during the first half of their Premier League winning season.
The striker has scored three times in his last four games, having netted just three from the previous 26.
"Tell me a forward who hasn't gone through that spell. It happens. With Jamie's reaction, you could see the joy in terms of the first goal he got," Shakespeare said.
"Strikers live and die by their goals but the overall performance of forwards is vitally important."
