Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after the penalty shootout in the World Cup 2006 quarter-final soccer match between England and Portugal in Gelsenkirchen July 1, 2006. [Reuters]

"It is time to get the players, coaches and referees around the table and try to find some sort of solution to this problem, "he said.

"None of us wants these incidents, and the referees are there to correct this kind of misconduct, but the players shouldn't seek to gain an unfair advantage," he added.

As soccer powers of comparable ability like France and Portugal meet, big games seem to be decided on penalty calls, by which players seek to gain advantages and win the game.

History suggests this was not always the case.

Robert Bernard Fowler of Liverpool during the 1997 England Primer League went down in the penalty area but he persuaded the referee not to give a penalty, as he insisted the Chelsea goalkeeper, their opponent, didn't make a foul. But a foul was given despite his protests. .

Robert then purposely failed to shoot the spot kick. He was thus awarded the Sportsman of the Year Award by UEFA, Europe's football governing body.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo now is shortlisted for FIFA'S inaugural Gillette Best Young Player Award at the World Cup.

But he has received a barrage of media and fans criticism early ahead of Portugal-France game, accused of influencing the referee's decision to send off Wayne Rooney of England during Portugal-England match.

Admittedly, the Manchester United winger performance on the pitch could be skillful and exciting, but another criterion for the prize is fair play.

To be qualified as a best young player, 21-year-old C. Ronaldo has a long way to go.