‘We know he likes to go down’ -Nigel de Jong slams Bruno Fernandes after Portugal star is denied penalty against Morocco
NIGEL DE JONG hit out at Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes for going to ground too easily.
The Manchester United midfielder protested for a penalty as Portugal found themselves 1-0 down to Morocco.
Argentine official Facundo Tello told Fernandes to get back to his feet and replays revealed little contact.
De Jong, a Premier League winner with City, took aim at Fernandes for his repeated offences of hitting the deck.
He said on ITV: “You could see who was at the end of it and who is laying on the floor again. We all see back in UK watching the Premier League.
“Fernandes has a feeling of going to the ground in circumstances and situations like this.
“It was not enough to give it as a penalty especially in the moment of the game like that.
“The referee made a good call and the VAR made a great call.”
Fernandes cut a frustrated look at his calls for a spot-kick were waved off.
It followed after after Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri headed home on 42 minutes to earn a shock lead.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who came on in the second half after being benched, looked stunned by the finish.
It was a jump the ex-Manchester United star would have been proud of and one hailed by England legend Gary Lineker.
Lineker tweeted: “Wow! Morocco lead. What a leap from En-Nesyri. Is there a trampoline under this pitch?”