Monday 29 October 2012

Has football got its priorities right?

No one likes to see a dive, but is it really the worst thing happening in the game?










Diving seems to be a topic that everyone has an opinion on, and nothing quite stokes emotion in the self righteous football fan like a foreign player going over a bit too easily.

In predictable fashion, the issue of “simulation” has flung itself (excuse the awful pun) into the spotlight again this season, and I feel like perspective is being lost. Also, alarmingly, referees appear to have been influenced by vocal managers and this is starting to skew their judgement; a worrying situation.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has been particularly vocal, coming out with some slightly dubious comments about diving being worse that late tackles, and it warranting automatic three match bans. There are a number of problems with this. Firstly, on a technical point – unless diving is upgraded to a red card offence (which personally I believe would be wrong) how can it result in a three game ban? Single yellow cards do not equal bans, so it’s simply not plausible. Pulis clearly believes diving is a stand out yellow card offence, but that’s merely his opinion. Secondly, the fact Pulis thinks a dive is equal to a reckless, dangerous late tackle (in terms of punishment) is concerning, and says something about his beliefs.

It’s important to establish here that I do share the opinion that diving is not acceptable. It goes against natural instincts to stay on your feet and is undeniably a form of cheating. I, like most people, cringe when I see players rolling around after a slight touch, or falling over without contact. It’s not good to see, and it perpetuates football’s reputation as a game played by amoral cowards. It’s embarrassing and unacceptable.

However, there are worse things that happen in a game. I know it goes against macho football logic, but I’d rather an opponent exaggerated the contact I made with him then snap my leg with a dangerous late tackle. Ultimately diving does not pose a threat to player safety.

And worryingly, referees seem to have been influenced by the likes of Pulis, and now have booking players for simulation at the forefront of their minds. They are so keen to get the yellow card out, to show they are doing something about it, that they are letting this affect their judgement. To book someone for diving I really think a referee must be 100% sure there has been no contact. For how can anyone judge exaggeration? Football is played at a frantic pace – how can you be sure a small touch was not enough to topple a player running at full pace? Therefore surely yellow cards can only be issued when a referee believes, without any doubt, that a player has indeed simulated contact?

Also, it’s obviously not a black and white issue. There are occasions when it’s not a foul, or a dive. Referees seem to have forgotten that of late, as they desperately try to appease managers and spectators, highlighting that they too will not tolerate this crime. I’ve seen three examples in the last two weeks of dreadful decisions on diving (yes, one of those was Fernando Torres versus Jonny Evans yesterday) – two when yellow cards were issued, but also one where a yellow card was not.

One final point here – the continued stereotype that diving is the preserve of foreign players is laughable. Many players dive, including British ones.

Diving is not good to see and it should be appropriately punished. I think the idea we can “eradicate it from our game” is unrealistic, but of course it would be great to see the number of dives reduced. In an ideal world, players would be shamed into not diving simply through the comments and disapproval of their own team mates. I’d like to think that if a player from Wandsworth Athletic (the side the founders of this blog represent in case you hadn’t noticed) dived, one or two “senior players” might have a word, and outline that it’s embarrassing and not acceptable.

I also maintain my stance that there are worst crimes in football. It would be nice to see managers (Pulis) getting this in perspective, and referees (Mark Clattenburg) not being influenced by misguided comments.

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