From Stan Collymore to Patrick Stewart, everyone had an opinion on the Wayne Rooney ‘dive’

Poor old Roy Hodgson was dropped in it last night, but the great and the good of football and beyond were free to express how they really felt

Sitting in the BBC studios England boss Roy Hodgson had little choice but to defend Wayne Rooney after he clearly went down far too easily against Preston last night. Others on duty, like Kevin Kilbane, were more forthright in their condemnations of the Manchester United striker but it was online where the real debate took place. Leading the charge was Stan Collymore, who clearly was having none of it with this tweet.

Blatant dive. No contact whatsoever. Sad to see. https://t.co/iRmQ4YfyU0 — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) February 16, 2015

Matt Le Tissier wasn't far behind, and he issued a string of tweets on the subject. This one, however, sums up his views best.

It was entirely feasible to have stayed on his feet AND.avoid the poor challenge from keeper. He chose to dive and conned the ref — Matt Le Tissier (@mattletiss7) February 16, 2015

Even the great Patrick Stewart was dismayed at Rooney's actions.

Wayne Rooney, once a terminator, now a simulator. Hey, ho. — Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) February 17, 2015

Preston boss Simon Grayson was taking the Roy Hodgson line after the game, saying: "I am not saying it wasn't a penalty. I'm saying there was no contact. It wasn't a dive. He's gone to get out of the way and taken evasive action." But most folks were of the opinion that the level of evasive action Rooney took was excessive and it shouldn't have been a spot kick.

For all those asking. I don't think it was a penalty on Rooney. No contact at any point. — Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) February 16, 2015

Can't wait to hear what Rooney says as the captain of Man Utd about that penalty. #Dive all day long. #mufc — Mark Bright (@Mark__Bright) February 16, 2015