Riise quiet on Suarez row

Fulham defender John Arne Riise has refused to condemn Luis Suarez for diving - insisting it is part of the game.

Cottagers star respects Liverpool's Uruguayan striker

Fulham defender John Arne Riise has refused to condemn Luis Suarez for diving - insisting it is part of the game. Former Liverpool star Riise's first game against his former club ended in controversial fashion when Suarez appeared to make an abusive gesture towards the Craven Cottage crowd. The incident came after Fulham fans chanted "cheat" at the Uruguayan during their side's 1-0 Premier League win on Monday night. The home supporters believed the Liverpool striker went to ground too easily for two penalty shouts which were turned down by referee Kevin Friend. But Riise insists it is not up to him to judge Suarez's behaviour.

Respect

He said: "Players going down happens - that's football. "If he is diving or not diving that's not up to us. "We play on and if we feel it's not a free-kick then we tell him. He's a good player, we respect him for what he's doing." However, Norway international Riise has warned the 24-year-old to get used to handling the physical treatment from Premier League defenders. He added: "He's a character and he has one type of football to play. "He has proved he's a great player and sometimes people get tough on him because that is the way they have to play against him. "If you try to be nice to him he can kill the game off."