Real Madrid defender Marcelo has been called “an actor” for his antics in their 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat by Wolfsburg.
The Brazilian appeared to thrust his head towards Wolfsburg midfielder Max Arnold’s midriff, before going to the ground, clutching his face.
Arnold was given a yellow card, while Marcelo was not penalised.
“Marcelo is an actor,” Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking told German media after the game.
“That annoyed me, because he has no need.”
Marcelo will face no further action from UEFA. European football’s governing body would only act retrospectively if the incident had been missed by match officials.
Swiss full-back Ricardo Rodriguez opened the scoring in the first leg with a penalty, before Arnold struck the second. The return leg takes place in Spain on April 12, reports the BBC.
Marcelo’s play-acting was described as “embarrassing” and “disgraceful” by former England manager Glenn Hoddle.
His fellow ITV pundit, ex-Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, called the Madrid player’s dive “shocking”.
Arnold, who described his side’s win as “breathtaking”, simply said of Marcelo: “I wish I had such beautiful hair too.”
