Jan Rezek denies he dived to win a penalty late on in the Czech Republic's controversial draw with Scotland on Saturday.
Striker denies he dived to win a penalty against Scots
Czech Republic striker Jan Rezek has denied he dived to win a late penalty in his country's game with Scotland at the weekend and insists the referee made the correct decision to award the spot-kick.
The Scots were leading 2-1 at Hampden Park in a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier when the 29-year-old went down in the box under a challenge from defender Danny Wilson.
Referee Kevin Blom pointed to the spot despite replays suggesting there was little or no contact between Wilson and the Anorthosis Famagusta frontman.
Michal Kadlec slammed home the spot-kick to secure a vital point for Michal Bilek's side, damaging Scotland's hopes of qualifying for next summer's tournament in the process.
Contact
The Scotland players and management were furious with the referee after the game but Rezek believes he made the right call.
"The player [Wilson] asked me three minutes after the penalty whether he has first hit me or the ball, so he knew himself there had been contact," Rezek told
iDNES.cz
"I received a pass from Tomas Rosicky and it was at pace. With the first touch I got it in front of the player and he stretched his leg. I'm not saying the contact was big or that it was a harsh foul, but it was there and it put me out of balance slightly. I simply waited for the contact."
To rub salt into Scottish wounds Christophe Berra was booked for diving in the area at the other end minutes later, despite there appearing to be more contact with a Czech player than in the Rezek incident.
Rezek though, believes the referee got that decision right as well and is refusing to respond to press criticism over his role in the controversy.
"The referee is there for this and he decided not to give it. He had quite a good view on the situation and I think he made the right call," he added.
"I haven't read the papers and have never been popular with fans, so I don't care at all.
"I accept criticism only from people who have played football and achieved something in it, not from people who have never kicked a football."
