Drogba is a ´diver´ – Mourinho

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has labelled the London club's striker Didier Drogba “a diver”.

Mourinho, now in charge at Italian giants Inter Milan, left the Premier League side just over a year ago having repeatedly defended Ivory Coast forward Drogba against charges of diving.

But the Portuguese, who also criticised Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres and Robin van Persie, told feelfootball.com: “I am no longer Chelsea coach, and I do not have to defend them any more, but I think it is correct if I say Drogba is a diver.

“Drogba, Ronaldo, Torres and van Persie are the divers. Who dives more? Who has won more penalties in recent years? But English football is the one that criticises the divers the most.”

Mourinho added diving was different to players who were fouled going to ground in the box.

“I hate diving, but I'm not happy if a player is kicked by somebody in the box and he tries to remain standing,” he explained.

“It's very, very rare a referee gives a decision if the player doesn't go down so I tell players not to be naive, but to be fair.”