Dundee United’s Cammy Smith has defended himself after being booked for simulation, declaring: “I’m not a diver.”
The on-loan Aberdeen man was shown the yellow card by referee Craig Thomson after just seven minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Raith Rovers.
Smith went down in the box after a challenge by Raith’s Kevin McHattie but rather than give the home team a penalty the official waved play on and penalised the United player.
However, Smith was adamant that he was innocent and that Thomson got it wrong.
He said: “It’s a penalty.
“I said that to Craig (Thomson).
“I saw it at half-time (on video) because we checked it.
“I’m not a diver.
“I wouldn’t dive, especially when I’m through on goal so I don’t know why I’d go down.
“He said to me that he thought there was contact but not enough to give a pen, but it was a clear penalty.
“He’s decided to give the foul against me but I think even Craig himself didn’t give the impression that he was 100% sure.
“When I spoke to him I didn’t really get the conviction he was 100% sure.
“It’s just disappointing – it should have been a penalty.
“I’m an honest player so I’m not going to go down in the box that easily but he’s decided against it so maybe next time.
“He is a top referee, don’t get me wrong, and I’ve played in lots of games with him and he is a good referee but maybe he’s just got this one wrong.”
Meanwhile, having secured Dutch defender Frank van der Struijk, United are also looking to add another new face – believed to be a Frenchman – before the transfer window shuts this week.
