Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has refuted claims from Wigan boss Roberto Martinez that he knows how to influence referees in awarding penalties. He "knows how to buy decisions off referees" Martinez was quoted as saying.
The Latics chief was left less than impressed by the award of what he labelled a "soft" penalty during his side's 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday after Latics skipper Gary Caldwell had been sent off for pulling back Fabregas.
Martinez maintained Fabregas had been "very clever", adding: "Cesc comes from a different culture - you do not cheat, if you take a decision from the referee it is because you are clever and you are getting something for your team."
Fabregas moved to put the record straight when writing in his programme notes for Tuesday night's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Ipswich.
Fabregas wrote: "I saw Roberto Martinez's comment that I might have employed some gamesmanship to win the penalty.
"I don't know why he said that - he is a fellow Catalan and we have had some dinners together at the Spanish Embassy, so I was very surprised because he has said himself that he knows me well, in which case he should know that I am not the kind of guy that dives.
"Believe me, no player wanted to score more than I did on Saturday."
