Sir Alex Ferguson: David Luiz like a 'dying swan' over red card

01:42, 7 May 2013

LONDON. May 7. KAZINFORM Sir Alex Ferguson accused David Luiz of being a "dying swan" to fool the referee Howard Webb into sending off Rafael da Silva near the end of Chelsea's vital 1-0 win against Manchester United. Ferguson was also strongly critical of the visitors' Brazilian for smiling on the ground while he apparently writhed in pain, The Guardian said.

Chelsea 's victory, secured by Juan Mata's deflected 87th-minute shot, makes them strong favourites to secure Champions League qualification. They can all but secure that with a win over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday because of their superior goal difference.

But Ferguson's focus was on the game's late flashpoint, accusing David Luiz of exaggeration, a trait the Manchester United manager said was more common among foreign-born players.

In the moment immediately before Da Silva kicked his compatriot in the back of the leg, David Luiz appeared to elbow the United player. Then, after the defender dropped to the floor following the right-back's challenge at United's corner flag, he could be seen smiling. He then looked around, only to roll back over again with Ashley Cole standing alongside.

This caused Ferguson to believe that David Luiz had been play-acting.

"The ref has been bought by the fact Luiz is rolling about," he said. "But whether the ref will do anything about it, I doubt very much. When a player retaliates he gets punished the most. Luiz rolled about. You see that with these European, foreign and South American players.

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