Klate refutes diving claims

Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates winger Daine Klate insists that he never dives to win free-kicks after Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane insinuated as much.

According to the Football411 website, Mosimane commented after his side's Nedbank Cup quarter-final defeat to Pirates that there were players who went down like they were injured only to recover almost immediately afterwards.

The remark is believed to be directed at Klate and Thandani Ntshumayelo.

However, the 29-year-old denies that he ever tries to con referees.

"I have a lot of respect for coach Pitso, and I know him very well. I'm not taking it personal, as I understand that he was emotional," Klate told KickOff.

"The goal I scored, Bibo [Ntshumayelo] was fouled and I took the resultant free-kick and scored. I've heard coach Pitso say stranger things after matches, and I will forever remain on good terms with him because he is the coach who gave me my break.

"No hard feelings. I focus on football on the field and not what is said off it.

"My legs are full of bruises from Saturday's match. I don't think I dive but I don't want to go into discussions - that's for media purposes," he added.

"Whoever feels I dive has their reasons. There's [Gareth] Bale, [Luis] Suarez and [Ashley] Young - the list is endless. I can't remember receiving a yellow card for diving."