Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has claimed Jamie Vardy is not a diver after the striker was sent off during their 2-2 draw against West Ham United on Sunday, Mirror reports.

The Foxes looked like they were going to continue their rich vein of form after going a goal up thanks to a first half strike from Vardy, but then the England international was given a second yellow from referee John Moss for an adjudged dive in the box in the 56th minute.

And the decision totally swung the game in the Hammers’ favour, with Slaven Bilic’s men scoring a penalty via Andy Carroll six minutes from time before Aaron Cresswell’s brilliant volley gave them the lead a couple of minutes later.

However, the Foxes themselves earned a spot kick deep into injury time, with Leonardo Ulloa becoming the hero by salvaging a vital point for the league leaders.

But Ranieri has defended Vardy, claiming that his star striker is not a diver, yet he did not blame the referee for controversial the decision.

The Italian said: “He never dives. He’s always good. Very fast, and at this speed, if you touch even a little then (gestures with hand). But it’s OK.

“Of course I’m very sad. Not for the sending off, but because he doesn’t play next match. But Ulloa, I think, will replace him, is a fantastic man, fantastic player and I’m sure we will play at the same level, with the same strength the same will.

“Listen, I don’t want to speak about the referee, Vardy, the situation, you watched the situation better than me. I want to stay calm and speak about football. You are a journalist, you have to write what you see.

“I always speak with the players about our performance and our performance was good. Also, was better than the 11, very close, when we conceded the second goal, my players wanted to draw and it was unbelievable, fantastic. Amazing.”

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