'Annoyed' midfielder Bale rebuffs diving accusations

London, Mar 9(ANI): Tottenham Hotspurs' midfielder Gareth Bale has irritatingly rejected claims that he dives, and clarified that most of the times he goes down on the ground to avoid possible career-ending injuries.

The Welshmen is often criticized for going down on the ground far too easily to win penalties, an accusation that was highlighted most recently when he appeared to drag his trailing leg in order to win a penalty against Arsenal two weeks ago.

"If people want to say I'm diving then they can, but I'm trying to get out of the way and save myself, save my career if you like," The Telegraph quoted Bale, as saying.ale said it gets maddening at times when people accuse you of being a diver, when that is not the reality.

"It's a bit annoying (when people say I dive) but you've got people flying in at you, you're trying to get out of the way of the challenge. If you stand there, you're going to get a whack," Bale said.

"You can see why people say you're diving but I'd rather get out of the way than get hurt, that's what it is. It's football, a contact sport, things do happen and you've got to try to be clever with it," he added. (ANI)