Soccer: Cristiano Ronaldo unfazed by boos

Tears for Ronaldo and coach Scolari. Picture / Reuters

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo said he was not bothered at being booed by the Munich crowd throughout the semifinal defeat by France.

Ronaldo's every touch was greeted with a loud chorus of jeers at the Allianz Arena.

They appeared to come from a group of neutral fans in the crowd and followed suggestions he encouraged the referee to send off England striker Wayne Rooney during their quarter-final.

"I'm not bothered," the forward said. "It doesn't worry me. I'm just here to do my job and try and help the team."

Portugal's surprise progress to the semifinals had been marked by allegations of gamesmanship and diving, with Ronaldo one of the main offenders.

Although his ability to run at defenders can lift the crowd, his tendency to fall over at the slightest touch does little to enhance his reputation.

Yesterday he went down theatrically at least twice, claiming a penalty as Portugal ran out of ideas.

In the first half, a cross came from the right and Ronaldo was seen to fly to the ground, prompting the entire Portugal bench to run on to the touchline and remonstrate with the referee. He tried again in the second half, but this time his effort was so theatrical that not even Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari could be bothered to protest.

Neither fall impressed Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda.

Ronaldo said he did not consider the refereeing to be even.

"I don't think the referee was fair, there were a lot of fouls which deserved a yellow card which he didn't give," he said.

"But I don't want to enter into this."

- REUTERS