A GREMLIN WILL continue to rear its ugly head until those afflicted address the issue.
While 2014 can be reflected on as a year in which football finally took a step in the right direction with the introduction of goal-line technology in many of Europe’s top leagues as well as the vanishing spray, there are still underlying defects that continue to undermine the game.
Football is by no means the only sport to be beset by underlying diseases. Doping continues to impair cycling and athletics while match-fixing in cricket remains rife but the powers of world football remain unconscious of simulation.
With each passing week, there are untold examples of players attempting to deceive the officials. A couple of weeks ago, the issue of diving came to the forefront of conversation once again.
Willian and Diego Costa were both booked for simulation during Chelsea’s game with Hull. Gary Cahill, who was already on a booking, was also accused of diving in the same match but escaped punishment. On the same day, Adam Johnson was accused of going to ground too easily by West Ham manager Sam Allardyce. Those were the major incidents from just two games. There are countless incidents that go unnoticed.
The same happens each and every week, in each and every league around the world.
It’s got to a point when diving is so inevitable that it’s hardly a shock any more when a player fools the referee into awarding a penalty or a foul. Then, there is play-acting.
What can be done, though?
Retrospective action is the obvious solution. In 2009, Arsenal striker Eduardo was banned for two Champions League games by Uefa for being found guilty of simulation against Celtic.
His deception of the referee didn’t have a bearing on the overall result (Arsenal won 5-1 on aggregate) but that is not the point. He had cheated himself, his team mates, the club who he represents, the opposition, the fans that pay good money for tickets and ultimately, football.
But, he won the penalty, scored it and helped his side win the match.
Then, there is the problem of determining whether or not the player dived. If I was to show a video of an incident deemed as simulation to five readers, there will, invariably, be differing opinions.
Much like the goal-line technology issue and the governing body’s reluctance to bring it into effect, there is still uncertainty about what measures will work to stamp out diving but we’ve reached a stage where something needs to be done. Anything.
Football would be a much better spectacle for it.
