How could the offence of penalty diving be punished after games?

Question

Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers team note: This is the real Anders Frisk. Please read the blog for further details: http://uk.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-qT1KKPQoRKdVT4lowpJCljbFokkuIzI8?p=2031

Answer 1

The first thing is that even with video replays showing multiple angles, it is not always clear whether a player has dived. Think Dennis Begkamp vs Leicester a few years ago where even with replays it wasn't clear.



However, there are some examples where it becomes clear after the match that no contact was made. From my understanding of the rules, this could really only be classed as ungentlemanly conduct, which carries with it only a yellow card caution. It would be difficult, therefore, to suspend the player. Is fining an option? No. Maybe for those outside the top divisions this would work, but you'd need to fine top league players hundreds of thousands for it to make a difference.



The best solution? Introduce a new rule which makes a dive with no contact a professional foul. I don't mean a dive where there is contact, but a dive where it can be shown that there was no contact. As a professional foul can be met with a red card, you could, in theory, retrospectively ban a player that dives when no contact is made.

Answer 2

In todays game and with the advent of high quality TV coverage it seems a simple issue to allow the 4th Referee to watch back an alleged dive and then advise the referee on the pitch. You could allow the game to continue and a yellow or red card be awarded after the fact. However the difficulty comes when it is the defending side who have dived in their own box. Do you award a penalty after the fact? Well yes I think you do and until players are prepared to play the game within the rules then the rules must change to counter this activity.

What about games where there is little or no TV coverage. What then?

Well the discipline on the pitch has to be upheld by all three referees on the day. Allow all officials the same powers to stop a game as is the case in American football. When they see an offence they stop the game.

Another rule worth applying is the advantage rule that is used in rugby union. When a team is deemed to have been fouled against but are playing the advantage the game can continue. If no advantage is gained the referee takes the play back to where the foul was commited and a free kick is awarded along with a card if deemed necessary.



It is worth stating that none of this would be necessary if footballers stayed on their feet. Perhaps the only course of action is a straight red for a dive in the penalty box and a yellow outside the box with 10 minutes in the sin bin as is the case in rugby union.

Answer 3

In today’s era of multi camera angles (some from high in the stadium), slow motion replays and technology, we can all see with hindsight that it should have been a goal/penalty etc. But why not place a camera on a referees/assistant referees head to show what he saw of the incident. This could show a very different angle and view. As a former referee, this would show the angle and view that was available and would either lead to the reason a decision was given or could be used to train the referee to ask why he didn't give it, whichever the case.



We need a certain amount of technology to improve the game. Goal line to see if the ball went over the line and definitely the 'dive' needs to be eradicated. I believe that retrospective punishment should be used to deal with all cheating, not just diving.



The punishment though should fit the crime. If a player gains a penalty by diving, then the other team should also be awarded a penalty. If a player is booked or sent off due to a play act or dive, then the culprit should also be sent off. If no punishment other than a free kick is given, then a 'sin bin' should be used. This, of course, would only work with 'live' game technology and a 4th referee (as equivalent to cricket's 3rd umpire).



Without live technology, then automatic bookings for diving should be allocated. If a player dives twice in a game then he automatically picks up a red card. Likewise, if the dive causes a sending off, then that diver is also red carded retrospectively.



Also, a deduction in points for the team could be imposed. E.g. if Team A Win the match 1-0 due to a penalty obtained from a dive, the player diving would receive a yellow card (red if the opposing player got sent off) and the team would get the match nulled to a draw, 1 point each.



Of course, this will never happen because the top echelons of Uefa/FIFA/FA haven't got the guts to do it. Also, it would stop us having a reason to go to the pub to talk football and would call cries of foul play from the professional ranks.



Good question and one on which I could rant forever.

Answer 4

Basically I think that it is amazing how people get away with it. Have a look at Italy and Australia in the world cup. What a farce and then to have Italy go on to win the world cup makes it even worse.

I think that it is more of a mind set of everyone including the players, managers, clubs, fans and commentators. After the Australia Italy match the commentators were more or less condoning Italy's behavior. When Cahill from Australia made comments after the game about, what penalty, meaning the dive, the commentators burnt him for saying something about it.

If you can really be happy to have won the game because your team player cheated then you are part of the problem too.

Take Drogba for instance. He is singularly the most frustrating player to watch at the moment. He is an embarrasment to himself, Chelsea, his fans and his country. I think he spends more time on the ground then he does on his feet. He is even on YouTube for this. You'd think that someone would actually say something to him instead of letting him carry on like a complete and utter idiot. The problem is that he is such a good player he does not need to cheat to win. I don't understand it. Maybe he has some inferiority complex issues or he feels he needs the attention.



So in this case a solution has to made for all partys in this.



1. Fine the club.

2. Fine the Manager.

3. Ban the player.

4. Ask commentators to tell it like it is and say that a team won because they cheated.

5. Ask commentators to research as part of the normal player stats how many times someone has been found guilty of diving.



The first three have to be significant enough to make an example of a club, manager and player.



As for the fans that is a little bit harder but I am sure everyone has been on the wrong end of a dive. Remember the way that feels if your side wins by cheating.

Answer 5

A multi level punishment seems to be the answer.



1st Offence = 1 match ban for the offending player, no yellow accumulation just a straight ban.

2nd Offence = 3 match ban for the offending player plus a warning to the owning club

3rd Offence = 10 match ban to the offeding player and a $50,000 fine for the club

4th Offence = Season ban for the player and a $250,000 fine for the club

5th Offence = 20 point deduction for the club and a $1,000,000 fine for the club



The club is the responsible party for this offence and the above hits both the offending player and the club. Each offence is not by individual player but by team member, thus if a club does not clean up it's own players then it gets hit harder each time.

For example the player that commits the second diving offence for his club is the one that gets the ban even if it is his first diving offence.

This punishment would hit clubs and players very hard but it would eliminate diving in a very short time.



Now what about those flying elbows which are very dangerous, get the refs to blow up and give free kicks for those!

Answer 6

After reading some very interesting ideas, I feel that diving should be an offence that both player and team pay for. I wouldn't be suprised if this sort of behaviour is practised on the training grounds (even though the managers would disagree). So therefore hit the player with a 2 match ban, and also deduct 2 points from the team. These days most players believe they're gods and that refs shouldn't penalise them. Well it's about time that such dishonest behaviour on the pitch was treated with the harshness that it deserves.

We all like to see a well contested game, but when one act could have deverstating repercussions on the other team then such unsporting behaviour should be hit hard.

Answer 7

As the penalty could be a deciding factor in the game, I feel that there should be a system in place that allows a ref to see the incident on video afterwards and make decisions based on the following:



1. If the player has without doubt dived and the penalty is then converted, the offending player should receive a yellow card, and the club a fine.



2. If the player has without a doubt dived, but the penalty is not converted, then I think the player should be fined.



I think that this would bring down the amount of diving that appears in the British leagues.

Answer 8

Football is going down the pan and if FIFA don't act quickly then they will have a lot to answer for. Their job is to run football and they're not doing it. The last major rule change they brought in that was any good was to ban the back pass to goalkeepers after the 1990 World Cup was the most boring and indisciplined final on record. They could do so much more but all Sepp Blatter wants to do is mess about with the offside law and make female footballers wear tight shorts.



Regarding players cheating and diving, it's not uncommon for players to have yellow and/or red cards recinded if the referee has looked at the incident after a game, changed his/her mind and admit the punishment handed out was incorrect. Also, it's not uncommon for players to have goals credited to them or taken away by a 'dubious goals committee'.



If all this can happen then why can't players be retrospectively booked or sent off after the game has finished to punish their diving and cheating? A dubious diving and cheating committee should be set up to review games after they have ended.



First time offenders will be warned.

Second offence is a one match ban.

Third offence is a two match ban.

Fourth offence is a four match ban.

Fifth offence is an eight match ban and so on and so on.



Francesco Totti was banned by UEFA at Euro 2004 for spitting.

Rivaldo was banned for feigning injury at the 2002 World Cup.

Ben Thatcher of Manchester City was banned by the FA for an incident involving a Portsmouth player.

All these incidents were missed by the referee and so they were retrospectively punished. It does happen so why not do it for divers and cheaters.



I'm against video technology to be used during games and I thought FIFA were against it too but try telling that to Zidane when the fourth official instructed the referee to send him off at last years World Cup final.



Andy

London, UK

Answer 9

If real time video technology was introduced to assist the referee and a footballer was seen to be diving, then there is no doubt in my mind that a red card should be immediately shown. It is an absolute disgrace, ungentlemanly and dishonest - it is not "simulation" as many put it - it is cheating.



However, I am not personally in favour of real time video technology, so this would lend itself to post match video analysis. Let's face it, fines hurt nobody these days, bans are the only credible punishments.



Diving is a major problem in the game that makes it harder for referees to make correct decisions - and while i'm on the subject of referees - am I the only one that thinks referees should regularly be sending players off/ move play back "x" number of yards for things like swearing and arguing? It works in rugby.



This issue of diving needs serious investigation by the FA, but I doubt they will because they will have to do something positive about it. (How can West Ham get away with a fine when other clubs this season who have done the same thing in the semi professional leagues have had massive points deductions leading to certain relegation?)

Answer 10

Easy! Football is a business, the players are part of a workforce and as such have a duty to behave in a professional manner when representing their company (the club). Therefore all players should have it written in their contracts if they are caught cheating they can be suspended without pay. If they are a continuous offender they can be sacked as breach of contract, the player would then have to reimburse the club all transfer fees etc, they paid for him and the club would then be able to sue the individual for bringing them into disrepute. And finally if deemed serious enough, FIFA could ban the player from professional football indefinately.



However, in the current situation where a genuine claim for a penalty dive (or any other diving or cheating) is made, a review board would watch the evidence and fine the player 2 weeks of his gross wage if found guilty. And each time the same player is caught cheating the punishment is doubled.



Its high time action was taken to bring these overpaid prima donnas back down to earth and the only way to do that is hit them in the wallet.



Some of them are such good actors though, if they did get sacked they should consider a career in theatre!

Answer 11

I think that one way of dealing with players 'diving' or 'simulating' is, if they are found guilty, to receive the same punishment as the player they 'used' to win the penalty, free kick, etc. For example, if a player was to run clean through on the goalkeeper and went down, despite no contact, the player should be punished with a red card. This is because the 'diver' is trying to con the referee into thinking a professional foul was made, and therefore would be likely to send the goalkeeper off in this situation.



It would be different depending on the situation, for example, if the attacker was not likely to have a "clear goalscoring chance". In this case a yellow card would be sufficient, because that would be a likely punishment if the foul did occur.



Outside the penalty area, the punishments would be proportionally less, as there is less of a chance to score from that position. However, the 'red card' for feigning a professional foul would still remain. It follows the same principal that if player A gestures that the referee to book player B (by showing an invisible card), then player A would be booked. Feigning a professional foul is trying to influence the referee to send an innocent player off, and should be punished accordingly.

Answer 12

There has to be a ban on the player, nothing else will deter them and one that will matter. I think two game for a first offence and any subsequent offences the ban to be doubled each time, they might do it once, they may do it twice but when they risk an eight match ban for a third offence they won't do it again! Sometimes players will dive, a semi final of a cup, they may be 2-0 up (or down) and the decision may not affect the game so the result can't change and with fixture congestion as bad as it is not many people want it re-played so there has to be a fine on the club as well. I think the gate money for that particular game to be donated to a charity (FIFA is rich enough). Also perhaps some humiliation for the offender would be nice, perhaps a set of stocks set up in the goal at his next away match with fans paying a £1 to charity to pelt him with tomatoes. I don't think he will dive twice then!

Answer 13

On confirmation of diving via video evidence, if the offence did not have an affect on the outcome of the match, then fines and match bans should suffice. But if the offence affected the outcome of the match, e.g a player dived and won a penalty and a goal was scored as a result, then, in a league match, the club should be subject to points being deducted and in a knockout match, the club with the player responsible should not be able to proceed further in the competition thus leaving their opponents to go through. Players take bans and fines lightly, and even though this suggestion may be harsh on other players of a club or a club itself, the club being responsible for how players conduct themselves is the best solution. Cheats don't mind missing a few games or paying a few fines to win important matches because their clubs status is not affected but this would make them take notice and play football the way it is meant to be played.

Answer 14

A points deduction for the club giving the points to the opponets and a massive fine (£100,000 per event) and a 3 match ban for the player

That would stop it pretty quick i reckon

Although i dont believe any governing body is brave enough to take on the problem.

It all adds to the after match analysis, the discussion , the publicity of the game etc.

Football is a game that feels it should be talked about by everybody for any reason. People are getting disillusioned with the money the players get , the ticket prices, the cheating and the distannce the big a teams are away from the average supporter



Duncan Edwards (Man Utd forever)

Answer 15

Easy. A match review committee decides whether the player has dived (its just not that hard to tell - work on the balance of probabilities and majority committee decision). The player is banned for one week. If they commit a second offence the ban doubles. A third the ban doubles again. Eventually when the serial diver is suspended more times than not then his club will have a quiet word. Do the same for abusing or charging an official as that's an equally disgusting aspect of the 'beautiful game' that wouldn't be put up with anywhere else in international sport.

Answer 16

Divers should be issued with yellow cards either at half time or after the game has finished. Perhaps a tally could be kept and if a player dives 3 times in a match then a yellow card could be issued. As proving a dive can some times be difficult because players try to avoid collisions and then can appear to dive when there was no intent to dive a tally system would be essential to avoid punishing innocent players.



I think that the use of technology should be brought in penalty and goal award situations. If there is a small team of referees who have access to instant replays a penalty/offside/goal could be assessed within seconds which would be a small price to pay for correct results.

Answer 17

Simple Mr Frisk or are you going to report me again for telling the truth and getting me ANOTHER violation notice.



Simple truth of the matter is to have replays available to the Referees (the amount of stoppage time would be no more than the 'rolling around in agony' of these cheats) and if found to have dived - sent off without appeal and a penalty awarded to the opposing team.



The trouble is - it is now in bred into the foreign game - how many times do you see the likes of the Italians flying through the air like the World Class Olympic Diving teams....and it has progressed to the Germans, Africans, Spanish and now it is coming into the English game more and more - the result of imported players.



Get tough or not - that is down to the likes of FIFA and UEFA and all the other countries governing bodies. Do nothing and the game will die, because it will become easier to cheat than to play and win

Answer 18

Diving is a yellow card offence, so an after-the-fact yellow card would be the obvious solution (after replay review), but this runs into logical barriers of why only diving. The FA would have to introduce a rule where every foul can be booked after the event occurred, and this would never pass a vote. Though diving is a cheap, unsportsmanlike-like move, there is no real logical way to punish it after games without a total redoing of all the rules on all fouls.

Answer 19

First of all how do you determine it is a dive in the first place?

Sometimes players such as Robben, Ronaldo, J Cole do go down to what seems the slightest touch - this is not helped by slow motion reply as people cant seem to grasp the fact its not moving in real time! The slightest touch will make you lose balance, and you cant blame a player for goign down if it hold an advantage. 'Diving' has always been part of the game- the simple tactic of backing into a player, and falling over as the defender tries to head the ball - Alan Shearer was a pro - Michel Owen wins many penalties by putting himself in the positon to be fouled!



I think what needs to be done is to put all the unjust acting, wrong doing into a group - e.g - asking for a ref to book a player, Diving when no contact has been made, play acting.



To me a form of diving has always be part of the game- like in Basketball when you take a charge. So to finnish to prevent (cant possibly stop) diving refs need clearer rules on what is a dive and what is not. if a player is deemed to have dived then they should be treated as if they have punched or kicked out at a player - 3 match ban....

Answer 20

A panel for that specific task could be set up by the UEFA, or by the national federation of the country wishing to cut down on diving.



The panel, whose number of members is to be determined, could punish a player after its members UNANIMOUSLY decide that the video evidence proves the diving offence has been committed.



If a penalty is given for a dive, then it cannot be taken away after the game; that would be absurd.



However, the prospect of fines, cards, but more importantly a short-term ban (one or two games) would be an efficient tool to help suppress diving, particularly in the European cups that are the Champions League and the UEFA cup, since a one-game ban for a player of any team at any stage of the competition is a great hinderance.

Answer 21

don't restrict it to penalties or even diving all cheating should be punished and not by fines players earn too much to have an effect I believe the 4 officials should watch a video of the game after the final whistle (they can't see it all) any cheating is generally caught by TV this may also help improve the standard of the officials

punishment

1st the player gets an immediate ban for cheating no appeal officials decision is final

and attach a point deduction system against the club 1st offence 1 point 2ND offence 3 points on an escalating scale only by penalising the clubs results will get a response as it seems to be the "larger/ bigger" clubs that get away with it.

also stop playing lip service when players have a go at the ref issue straight yellow and red cards accordingly you don't get players arguing the refs decision in rugby.. cheating spoils the game and only a severe crack down on it will stop it

Answer 22

The next time the two clubs meet in the same competition, the offending team should start the game with 10 men.



This means the team that was cheated against gets some kind of payback, instead of some other team benefitting by a sanction and ban on the player.



Or possibly the offending team could start with eleven but can only make one subsitution instead of the usual three, reducing any tactical moves because the substitute would have to be saved in case a player is injured.

Answer 23

This is tricky as I dont think that the club on the receiving end will feel any benefit if they are beaten by a penalty as a result of a dive and that particular player being fined or booked unless the fine is perhaps paid to the losing club.



Once the game is reviewed a panel can decide if its a dive but it has to be blatant, even if they are tripped they can still make the most of it so i would include exgageration as well as simulation. Then the panel can dish out a fine of say £50000 or 2 weeks wages which should be a sufficient deterent and then perhaps a name and shame league table of divers with the winner receiving a trophy that will humiliate them.

Answer 24

I'd punish divers by giving them a warning for the first offence a new type of card, say an blue card (this goes on record and is only removed at the end of the season or the equivilent of a seasons games). If the player dives again he gets a yellow card, if it happens again a red card with a one match ban. Then to get tough, any offences after that result in a two match, three, four, five etc. That way they cannot play and will put an incentive on the clubs to fine their players for diving, hopefully removing it from the sport. Ofcourse we need the video replays first!

Answer 25

I think that the time has come for FIFA to get some teeth. The big clubs are the ones where they should hit hardest, because these players are models for many people, including young kids.



Unfortunately, fines mean nothing to players in these clubs. Cards and suspensions also mean nothing - the clubs have strength in depth.



There should be, as in rugby, a "citing" system, where even fouls that are not seen by the referee but are picked up on TV can be acted upon afterwards. Where there is genuine foul play, backed up by video evidence, it should be the club that is punished. How? By the deduction of points, because that equals big money to the big clubs. If such a points deduction system were implemented, I can guarantee that the type of cheating behaviour that mars the game today would vanish overnight.

Answer 26

A player found to be guilty of diving should recieve a one match ban. That ban should be for the next game in whatever competition the offence occured in. The decision as to whether the player dived or not should be made by a panel of 5 current referees, who have looked at video footage.



This way the punishment is simple and clear, there are no grey areas and no arguments. Fines are meaningless these days, and a two match ban is too severe, especially towards the end of a season.

Answer 27

If it is proven as a clear and blatant dive, a fine or suspension should be given to the player concerned.

The severity of the punishment should be related to the impact the dive/ incident had on the overall game.

For example, team is losing 5-0, someone dives, wins a penalty and scores. Final score 5-1. Player should incur a fine.

Or team is winning 1-0, someone dives, wins a penalty and scores. Final score 1-1. Player should incur a heavy fine and suspension

Answer 28

I think referees have an impossible job trying to guess if it's a dive or not.



I would like to see UEFA/FIFA set up a panel of former top players of different positions and from different countries to analyse World Cup and Champions League games afterwards.



They can decide and correct every decision and allocate red & yellow cards accordingly. Certain players - Drogba, Ronaldo, Robben could pick up 4 yellows for diving in a single match and would therefore get a long suspension. This would act as a big enough deterrant.



Although this is only the top level, if other players and children see the stars not diving they will follow the lead by trying to be like those they aspire to be.

Answer 29

As and when the referee makes his match report any offences he was unsure about should be noted (as im sure they are anyway) and if found guilty then not only does the player get a heavy fine but the club have any points gained for the game taken away - especially if the 'dive' led to a goal via a penalty/freekick.

However in this day and age you have the ref his 2 asistants and the 4th official all on hand to see this kind of thing and yet it goes unpunished.

And who is one of the most guilty of this 'diving' offence?

man united very own Ronaldo - its a regular part of his game!!

Answer 30

I think its more then just diving, its play acting too. I think that video replays should be introduced so that when its shown on the big screen of drogba (E.G.) acting like hes been hit by a train or sniper not only should they feel embarrassed but they will also recrieve a booking.

Coming from England there isn't as much diving as there is on the continent and at times when our teams play in the champions league or on the world stage its annoying to know that we have been cheated or that the ref has been conned and by FIFA or someone saying afterwards it wasn't a penalty is too late, so i do think that video replays using a 5th or even the 4th official wouldn't take long to look at, considering at times the divers roll longer then it would take to check it. I think the only reason it hasn't been yet is that refs don't want to take it on, with all that the ref's word is final. I think if anything it would help to protect ref's and if they got it wrong after seeing the replay also, then they deserve to be demoted.

Answer 31

you can't punish a dive after the game is over. there are to many variables involved. what you can do though is make changes to the player potentially faking an injury from a dive. most times only the player knows is he's hurt or not. so when a player is sent off the field because of an apparent injury, have the player and team decide what the next move will be. if the player is indeed hurt the coach would obviously insert a substitute asap. if the player can continue playing he will have to sit on the side lines for at least a min. of 2mins(for example), or more. make it a significant amount of time that is not negotiable.

Answer 32

Similarly to the dubious goals panel we have in the Premiership, there should be committee of perhaps 3 ex-players who look back at incidents from games which researchers have picked out, where they believe any form of cheating (or attempt at) may have taken place.



At this point the panel then decide if a player(s) has in any way attempted to fool the referee, this will mostly deal with diving. The panel have to be 100% sure that a player has actually dived and has not lost their footing/slipped/jumped out of the way of contact (the latter behaviour is fine as long as the player doesn't appeal for a foul, this would be deemed as cheating). Therefore the panel have to be unanimous in their decision.



Once a player has been found guilty the discipline has to be heavy, it is clear that we cannot trust some players to play our game in the right spirit. A personal suggestion would be a 3 game ban for each individual who has attempted to to con the referee. This is the same as an automatic red card, and in my opinion diving is far worse than a lot of challenges that players receive straight reds for. The player can only receive one ban a game though (ie even if the player has dived 5 times in a match he can still only receive a 3 match ban.) Fines are irrelevant as a detterent in the modern game, although I'm sure the governing bodies would still implement them as they no doubt receive sizable incomes from this form of punishment.



Top level football has become a farce of late, and certain clubs/nations have become unbearable to watch. Being from a background where it would be embarrassing to show you are hurt from a challenge, I find play acting disgusting and disgraceful to watch, players who roll around acting as if they have been shot when replays show little or no contact are not fit to play the game, nevermind get paid for it. The argument that this is acceptable due the high pressure to succeed top footballers face, does not wash with me.



This action needs to be undertaken immediately. I am in continuous bemusement that something has not been done already. Until the governing bodies do pull their head out of their ****'s, the media need to do as much as possible to name and shame those guilty, perhaps continuous ridiculing of these cheats may alter their behaviour. In this vain, now follows a list of players who spring to mind who persistently dive/cheat/feign injury:

Drogba, Lehman, Robben, Gilardino, Joe Cole, Vieira, Diouf, Pires, Andy Johnson, Pretty much the whole Portugal team from the last world cup. The fact that so many players from one team repeatedly dive, cheat and hound and harass referees, surely paints their manger in anything but a positive light, thats right, you cheat, Jose Mourhino.

Answer 33

Diving is nothing more or less then deliberately cheating. Referees need to be bolder in taking action at all. Divers should get an instant red card, just like 2 footed or dangerous over the top tackles. An automatic 2 match ban shold follow. If more than 3 players are sent off for diving, the club should be docked 1 point. I guarantee that this would stop diving dead in its tracks.

Answer 34

In top level football I believe the referee and assistants should study the game after the match is over and any such offence(s) should be noted in the match report to the FA or ruling body in that country. The player should charged by the Association under the Rules of the Association for bringing the game into disrepute since his actions do exactly that - they damage the reputation of the game as a gentleman's sport.



Other options available might include the cancellation of any goal which might directly result from any free kick or penalty awarded and / or deduction of points or forfeit of the game.



I would not fine the player as wage demands are such that fines would have a minimal effect on them. I would leave it to their club to take action against the player as they would inevitably do, having been deducted points.

Answer 35

With today's technology the proof is there for all to see, except the referee, he doesn't have this luxury during the heat of a game. If it is suspected that a certain player took a dive to gain an unfair advantage then maybe the fourth official (or even a fifth official) could examine the incident immediately after and then decide whether or not the dive was intentional or a definite foul. With this deterrent in the backs of the players minds then maybe they might think twice before taking a dive.

Answer 36

A ban is a must for the player. How about punishing the club too? A fine would not be worthwhile as this would not affect the richer clubs and would make life even harder for small clubs. Maybe something to upset the fans, A restriction on selling tickets to the next home game would cause the fans to hound out the 'cheaters' although again, the small clubs would lose out yet again this time on ticket sales.



A deduction of points would alter the game too dramatically as would taking away goals.



Nice one Anders your question is much more difficult than I originally thought!

Answer 37

The technology is available now "time slip" on DVD recordings to view and replay instantly. If a player has gone to ground then an offence has been committed, whether it is a foul or a dive can be ascertained within 20 seconds and replayed on a giant screen at the ground, given the time differential this would not hold the game up at all, should the offence be deemed to be a dive the offender should be sent off and receive a one match ban, this would eliminate this game ruining tactic overnight and, people like myself might come back to football, I haven't watched a game for over 8 years due to this phenomenon.

Answer 38

Football players are meant to conduct themselves in a professional and honest manner, after all, football is a gentleman's game. The players are also role models to millions of youngsters all around the world and their conduct will affect the attitude, image and approach of future footballers. I'm sure we can all remember the players we idolised when we were younger.



I believe players should receive an automatic 2 match ban for deliberate dives after having got away with the dive during the game. The video technology available nowadays can easily show this, if there are subsequent dives then they should addd them to the 2 matches. ie. player dives after serving the ban, give them a 3 match ban (2 match ban served + 1 more match added for the subsequent offence).



And when a team has at least several players/groups of players diving the football club should be docked points. The clubs are meant to be responsible for the discipline and actions/conduct of their players so they should also be made liable for their player's behaviour. In the real world, companies often have codes of conduct. If these are contravened then employees and companies could face disciplinary action - football is no exception.

Managers should be especially be aware and take responsibility, rather than making up excuses. eg. Mourinho always makes an excuse for his players diving, unlike the honest response from Stuart Pearce when Corradi dived and was sent off. Pearce publicly condemned the diving.



The video technology is available to make decisions during the game, there is normally a tv screen in the dugouts at league games. One solution could be to have 1 or 2 more additonal tv referees who get to view the match from different camera angles and they can relay any possible incident missed by the match referee. eg. Sky interactive allows viewers at home to watch the game from several different camera angles. I do not see how this facility cannot be made readily available for the referees officiating the game.



Referees often bare the brunt of these accusations, where they are conned by a diver and make a mistake, and it's not healthy for football. I think anything that will aid the accuracy of the decision making for the referees and football's disciplinary bodies should be encouraged.



After all, the main purpose is to eradicate cheating in football (promote fair play) and at the moment players know they can easily con referees and cheat their way to victory, especially in Europe. Once the players and clubs are aware they will penalised for the diving (or cheating in general) then there is likelihood that diving could be eradicated from football during matches (Well except for goalkeepers who have to dive to make their saves!!!).

Answer 39

A panel sits down on a monday morning, watches any controversial decision, if they decide its a dive the player involved gets an instant 3 match ban. Chelsea would soon be unable to field a team and the cheating by everyone would stop within a fortnight. Same with giving the ref excessive backchat (eg Wayne Rooney) instant 3 match ban, sin bins should also be introduced, football could learn so much from rugby especially respect for the ref & the opposition.

Answer 40

Diving is really the responsibility of the player, however I believe more should be done to punish teams or managers for excessive diving.

Video footage capturing divers should be monitored and after 2 offences, the player should face a 2 - 3 match ban, with the team facing heavy fines for those teams that have greatest number of offenders.

Financial punishments on their own, aren't really much of a deterrant in modern times, as Football is such a lucrative business.

Answer 41

very simple, a panel of refs/officials watch footage on the monday/day after the game. anyone seen diving recieves a yellow card. when they have 2 they miss a game.

if this isnt done these cheats wont stop. there has to be some deterrent to them doing this.

look at last nights semi final, and the 1st leg, some of chelseas players were doing it all game(well at least when liverpool started to threaten). this isnt acceptable, its not football and they should be punished.

drogba, although this season showed a vast improvment is a disgrace, hes such a talent but will fall over without being touched if the stakes are high. or he'll back in to a player then fall, and more often than not win a free kick.

stamp it out of our game, there is no room for these cheats.

Answer 42

The answer to the question is not yellow or red cards, video evidence or any retrospectic punishment. The answer is shaming the player involved. For example when a player throws himself to the floor, it should be published in the papers and the FA (or whichever governing body is in charge of the match) should release a statement saying "XYZ cheated in this game". This is the only way to stop it from happening. Players (you would like to think) would be less inclined to to take a dive if they knew that they would be labelled as a cheat. Bookings and Financial penalties do not make any difference to the modern day footballer on £50,000 per week.

Answer 43

I don't believe that it can. The laws of the Game must be the same for everybody. Some laws cannot apply just to the top leagues. How would a "diver" playing in a park league be punished after the game?



The only way to deal with the problem is for the ruling bodies to give full backing to referrees to take appropriate action at the time (award free kick and issue yellow card).



Should a player be "sin binned"? I don't think so, as that would mean the team with 10 men closing up until they were back to full strength.

Answer 44

Remove the term "Penalty diving" from the rule book and they can do all the diving they want while the game played on. If they are truly, genuinely hurt then it would be up to his team mates to drag him off the field and the team would be playing at least one man short if not more. Or they could halt the game to call for medical assistance. Either way, teams would be discouraged from doing the "song and dance routine" on the field, by their team mates and owners who could impose their own fines and suspensions. Ref's will go back to being relied on to catch the people committing the unsportsmen like conduct instead of them trying to read the events of what might have just happened. If there is no such thing as penalty diving, then there would be no need to review game footage, little or no game halting, no fines or game suspensions. Teams would police their own members.

Answer 45

Petitioning referees for cards: petitioner gets a yellow right then and there



Diving: Have a tribunal (much like Aussie Rules) which examines games after the fact. Anyone found to be diving gets a one or two match suspension, including matches in other competitions. Referees should also give out yellow/red cards for diving during the game as they see fit. For smaller leagues without television cameras, there would be only in-game cards, no tribunal would be possible.



Writhing in agony: If the player is that hurt, take them to the dressing room for ten minutes to be checked on by a doctor. No one carried off the pitch can come back to play right away.

Answer 46

Coming from England there isn't as much diving as there is on the continent and at times when our teams play in the champions league or on the world stage its annoying to know that we have been cheated or that the ref has been conned and by FIFA or someone saying afterwards it wasn't a penalty is too late, so i do think that video replays using a 5th or even the 4th official wouldn't take long to look at, considering at times the divers roll longer then it would take to check it. I think the only reason it hasn't been yet is that refs don't want to take it on, with all that the ref's word is final. I think if anything it would help to protect ref's and if they got it wrong after seeing the replay also, then they deserve to be demoted.

Answer 47

Teams need to be punished as well as the individual players. Some teams seem to encourage diving and some players openly admit to it. [ Drogba did once when he was asked about it after an incident during a match]. It seems to me that most players will try it on, to see if they can get away from it.

Perhaps the clubs should be fined and be made to deter their players from doing it.



Perhaps the players, should be made to give up some of their time to teach children how to play football.

Or, ban them from the next match they are eligible to play in.

e.g. in the home leagues, then the next match,

in international and European matches, then the next round or next match they would be eligible for no matter if it takes until the next season.

make examples of them - put their names and pictures in the press or on the bill boards around the grounds and let people know that these players would rather dive and cheat, than play fair and square



I think that any of these or maybe even a combination of them would help.

Answer 48

The argument against punishing players (eg bans or heavy fines) after matches is that it is impossible to say for certain that a player has dived from TV footage, and players would be incorrectly penalised.



HOWEVER, since players are currently being incorrectly punished becaused of OTHER players diving, and because diving is so harmful to footaball as a spectator sport, I think this is a risk worth taking.



If a few players are incorrectly punished for diving, so be it if it helps the game in the long run. Eventually players will stop diving and this will stop being an issue

Answer 49

By way of retrospective punishment. A two game ban to begin with. If this proves ineffective, then any goals scored by way of unfair means, eg, diving for a penalty, should be chalked off. If the game finishes 1-0 by virtue of an unfair penalty award then the result should be changed to 0-0 and the 'winning' team should lose two points and the 'losing' team should gain a point.

Fines simply don't work with the vast sums players and clubs earn nowadays.

Answer 50

In the NHL (National Hockey League), if a referee believes a player dives, the player is assesed a 2 min penalty. If the player continues to dive, the league will fine them a certain amount of money. In the NHL, in one season (October - May), there are between 10-20 dives. That's it! There are 30 teams who play almost every other day for 8 months and only 10-20 dives come out of it. Unlike soccer (football) players, hockey players find it very cowardly to dive. Personally, I do not watch soccer (football) because of all the dives. If soccer leagues can look at what the NHL does to players who dive, and can assess some sort of penalty during the game (and fines if they continue to dive), soccer (football) will be a sport that I will watch.

Answer 51

I think not just 'penalty diving' but massive over-reaction should be punishable with bans ranging from a single game for a 'first offence' to maybe three for a second offence, and possibly a season long ban for persistant offenders. This might persuade them and their club to review their collective actions.



A board could review incidents after matches and decide whether a foul was genuine, or alternatively decide if the incident was an attempt to persuade the referee by unfair means.



This might seem draconian, but there's little respect in the game for footballers or referees. We just have to watch Rugby Union to see what discipline is - remember Scott Murray being sent off for Scotland and being heard to say "Sorry Sir" to the referee - I can't imagine that being said in a football match!

Answer 52

Not sure about after games, but during games referees could go down the sin binning route. If both the ref and side line ref reckon a player has dived they should give them a mandatory 10 minute sin binning and a yellow card. I feel this would be the best way to deter the like s of Drogba from diving all over the place!

Answer 53

Quite easy a green card system could be introduced, where the officials review the match incidents after the game to determine if the player dived. If the player was judged to have diving during the game but went unpunished a green card could be then branded to the player.

If player receives 3 green cards they become 1 yellow. Should discourage divers and those who aren't would soon rack up a ban.

This maybe more work for officials but it would be a way to keep the game flowing and punish offenders.

Answer 54

Hi Anders, they should have a system where if they are caught they are banned for a game.



I don't really think there is a good way of stopping it though because if you think about big games near the end of tournaments like the world cup final they could dive all they want and win it. In addition to that the referees wouldn't be looking for it as much in the final due to the reduction of diving in earlier games.



Maybe you could say if you keep doing it and it is totally obvious then they could be kicked out of football!

Answer 55

I would say the harshest ban possible. Rugby referees are respected by all players because they take no nonsense whatsoever from any of the players. A player who answers back is warned, then sent to the sin bin. I think players who dive, should be given a 3 match ban as soon as it's been confirmed that they have indeed dived in the match. Diving disgusts me and is ruining the beautiful game. Exceptional footballers like Didier Drogba blight their image by crumpling to the ground as soon as they are shrugged off the ball, which they really shouldn't have to do when they are such bulky players in terms of build anyway. I really feel that the harsher the punishment, the quicker the players stop diving.

Answer 56

The player would receive a retrospective booking for unsportsman like conduct, which is a yellow card. If they had already been booked then that would then become a red card. If the team benefiting from the penalty went on to win the game 1-0 then the score should be changed to take into consideration that the penalty was awarded unfairly and the score revert to 0-0 and the points awarded for that 'new' result.

Answer 57

For ALL games, league, cup tournaments etc sponsored or played under European or FIFA rules in this country (UK) there should be a video referee who observes the game and such incidents in particular. At the end of the game he/she should meet with the match officials, relay his findings, then all ref and asst refs involved should form a panel and decide THEN if it was a dive punishable under the circumstances. If found guilty the player should be banned for the next TWO matches in that competition or next two home /league competition . We have to trust the fairness of these officials and any appeal should be denied - it should be an obvious dive or not. To allow an appeal at this stage plays into the hands of the clubs who would use the appeal system to stall and to continue to allow that player to play until the appeal is heard . All clubs would have to made to accept that system without exception prior to entering the competitions.

Answer 58

For blatent divers where it is obvious there has been no contact from a defender there should be an automatic 1 game ban by a video referee after the game. If they repeat the action then they should get a 3 match suspension....if they miss enough games then managers might start taking internal action or lose key players throughout the season! There needs to be tough action to make players think twice about falling over in the penalty area.

Answer 59

However, there are some examples where it becomes clear after the match that no contact was made. From my understanding of the rules, this could really only be classed as ungentlemanly conduct, which carries with it only a yellow card caution. It would be difficult, therefore, to suspend the player. Is fining an option? No. Maybe for those outside the top divisions this would work, but you'd need to fine top league players hundreds of thousands for it to make a difference.

Answer 60

At least with a point deduction the manager will have to address the situation! Look at Ronaldo how many penalties have been given to Man Utd on the back of him diving. The majority of these decisions have won Man Utd the game when actually they weren't penalties at all!

Answer 61

At the highest level - clubs should be penalised for their players diving - financial penalty is not sufficient - perhaps if a team has won the game after a case of diving has been proven, Premier points should be taken off the team and the player should be logged on an offenders list: two proven strikes and the player should miss premiership games - Perhaps the team should also have to play one player down in their next game. This is a real issue and at club level of no real issue to them the penalty needs to be harsh and immediate and to be avoided - Once proven no appeal is to be granted the committee's verdict is final. It is truely unpleasant for viewers to see players and clubs getting away with and benefitting from cheating.

Answer 62

Video review after the game. If a player CLEARLY dives to try to gain a penalty or to get an opponent booked or sent off then that player should receive a retrospective yellow card. If the player already has a yellow card then it should be upgraded to a red. If he already has a red then the length of ban should be incrased by 1 game. Diving must be stamped out because it is one of the offences most likely to anger the crowd and thus incite crowd trouble.

Answer 63

If the ref gives the penalty due to clear cut diving then (if the penalty decided the game i.e 1-0) the team who was awarded the penalty gets the win taken from them and both teams get 1 point each. Although if the game was 10-0 and one of those 10 was a penalty dive i think the fa could let it go.

Answer 64

There would be no point of punishing players after the game, whilst during the game could stop diving near 100% would be to send a player to the sidelines for 5 minutes of the game for diving. Kind of like a sin bin in an ice hockey match. This would see the likes of Robben and Drogba on the sidelines for most of the game - no harm there then - only to chelsea and that would only be a bonus ;)

Answer 65

done is to put all the unjust acting, wrong doing into a group - e.g - asking for a ref to book a player, Diving when no contact has been made, play acting.



To me a form of diving has always be part of the game- like in Basketball when you take a charge. So to finnish to prevent (cant possibly stop) diving refs need clearer rules on what is a dive and what is not. if a player is deemed to have dived then they should be treated as if

Answer 66

I think using video will make it impossible to enforce throughout the entire league divisions from top to bottom.



The solution is a point system. If the action is dubious and agreed upon by the majority of the match officials (linesmen). the player receives a point from the referee and 3 points in a single game will lead to suspension from the remainder of that game and the next game. If the player is injured this is carried over to the next game.



Each player starts each game with a clean sheet. I think the club therefore has to carry more of the responsibility for its players actions as they do not want their key players suspended.



I think this will allow for some flexibility in the decision process. This should also apply to dissension to the match officials or deliberate attempts to destroy the flow of the game through play acting etc.

Answer 67

An automatic one match ban. And after three dives in one season or competition they should get another two match ban. This would mean that if a player dived three times in one competition altogether they would be banned for 5 matches.



Fines are pointless because they get so much money anyway. And I think point deductions are too harsh. So really suspension is the only way to stop them cheating and ruining the game.

Answer 68

Give the offending player a 20 minute 'sin bin' penalty for diving. Then the actual team he is playing against will benefit and not another if he was banned for 1 or 2 games in the future.

Answer 69

After a match during which a player is determined to have dived, the presiding referee will meet with the player on the pitch at the exact location where the dive took place. The referee will then administer a punishment truly worth falling face-first onto the field -- a swift kick in the crotch.

Answer 70

Point deductions. You intentionally dive in the box and get caught you earn your club a three point deduction. It's no point issuing fines to the players when they earn the extortionate amount that they do. The fines don't make a small dent in the players pocket.



At least with a point deduction the manager will have to address the situation! Look at Ronaldo how many penalties have been given to Man Utd on the back of him diving. The majority of these decisions have won Man Utd the game when actually they weren't penalties at all!

Answer 71

I think penalty diving should be punished during the game. The 4th offical should be watching the tv camaras so if the ref is undecided about a decision then the 4th offical should radio the ref and tell him what he was seen. Its then up to the ref to take action. i think this method should be used for diving everywhere on the pitch not just in the penalty box. That would eliminate diving and make the game more fair and better to watch.

Answer 72

a) fine the players

b) suspend the players

c) fine the clubs

d) deduct points from the clubs



all of the above with increasing penalties for further offences



In the end, it is down to the clubs. When viloence and yobbism hit football in the late 60s/early 70s, the clubs COULD have stopped it by banning the transgressors. They didn't because they were more interested in money.

Answer 73

I don't think it's a good idea to remove points or goals after the match has finished. It would take all the pleasure out of being a fan. When the whistle blows for full time that should be the end of it. You should be able to celebrate a victory without having to worry about it getting taken away at a later date. I say ban the individual for 1 game for winning a penalty falsely - yellow card for lesser offences. That should be deterrent enough.

Answer 74

Easy,



Introduce a 5-minute Sin-Bin penalty for this type of offence..



Any diving, abusive language, hastling/bustling the ref, arguing with the officials etc, is met with a BLUE card - meaning 5-minutes in the Sin Bin, starting from the second of the game restarting..



A player can collect as many blue cards in a game/season without additional penalty, but each offence means 5 mins in the Sin Bin...



Teams would soon leanr to control their discipline in diving and other un-sporting like offenses if they got removed from the pitch each and every time...

Answer 75

Before the advent of foreign players coming to british clubs, diving was almost unheard of. Diving is a cancer in our game, they go down like they're been shot, often conning a referee to either award a penalty or and send the player off.



The punishment should be a either a 10 point deduction, and a massive fine, and if its happens in a world cup, champions leahe or uefa cup they should be kicked out of the competition. If its a prermiership club or league club they should be relegated.

Answer 76

If the dive is the deciding factor in the game (i.e. the offending team win by the penalty) then a 2 match ban for the offending player & deduct the points "won" and award the the other team 1 point.



If it is not the decider then a 2 match ban for the offending player

Answer 77

I think they should do as in rugby to begin with. Institute a sin bin of say 10 mins of play time if the dive is determined during match play and a second incident within the match could get a red and automatic ban for the next game. Imagine being called for a dive and forcing your team to play shorthanded for 10 or 15 mins, not including any other bookings.

Answer 78

Whilst I agree with others that post-game disciplinary matters should be dealt with by virtual yellow and red cards as though the game was in play and ergo subsequent missed matches, I wonder whether this will set a prescident. Would other in-match issues be analysed after the game and demeters/cards awarded? The computer discovering a player was an inch offside before scoring a goal that had been allowed by the referee...the list is of course endless and is gone into by great detail by football commentators.



This is a knock on effect of improved technology allowing us to analyse every angle of the game. Part of me welcomes the increased technology, but part of me is saddened - it would be good to go back to the good old days of team on team, human error and a good sense of sportsmanship.

Answer 79

I'm not sure its as easy as some have suggested to decide what is or isn't a dive after the match. A lot of replays are inconclusive to start, and some players are experts at looking like they've been fouled. Its also pretty hard to judge intentions generally in replays. I think if a case is particularly clear the player should get a post match yellow card, but otherwise i fear it is a part of the game we might have to accept.

Answer 80

As most big matches are recorded, identify the culprit and give a 10 match statutory ban. A second offence should result in points also being deducted, and a third offence should result in the principle of 3 strikes and out. In other words, kick the player out of the game. Only harsh punishments will stop this practise.

Answer 81

Punishment should not be confined solely to players diving for penalties, punishment should be given for any diving whatsoever. It's an absolute disgrace. For example, Didier Drogba, a plus six-foot, built like a house athlete loses the power of his legs when someone touches him in the back. I don't know how he sleeps at night. Anybody who has dived should be retrospectively punished, a special committee set-up in a league to oversea it. The punishment should be at the minimum a three-game ban and a weeks wages. The player should also have to wear pink socks for the next ten games...

Answer 82

It should be punished during games with a straight red and then with at least a three match ban after the game. For repeat offenders then double the length of suspension for each further offence.



However, the referee has to be absolutely certain that it was a dive before taking action. Also conclusive video evidence has to be available before imposing a ban.

Answer 83

In order not to have a game stopped to review video/tv footage the Ref should review any incident after the game and issue a retro-spective RED card to players who have taken a dive. Player "convicted of two such offences should face a 5 match ban. Diving would soon stop. Also to stop Refs being hounded by players we should follow rugby and only let the Capt approach and speak to the ref.

Answer 84

Why not send them to the 'sin bin' for 10 minutes or so as is done in Rugby? The punishment doesn't need to be so harsh as full match suspensions; the sin bin will likely cut down diving as the player is already messing up his team's chances by leaving the field for a while. So, when he comes back on he will be under that extra 'peer pressure' not to dive anyway. If he does, surely his team and manager will not want to be playing with him anyway, so he is likely to be left off team sheets after all.

Answer 85

Players lying on the ground should be legally foulable by other players. ie can be kicked until they get up. The ref could at his discretion award a penalty against either team if the player is not on his feet again within 3 seconds. All players who exceed this 3 second window on the ground must be immediately sent to and examined by a local hospital and have precautionary x-rays - no exceptions.



If they are genuinely injured, they should have a secret 'S&M' word like 'Alabama' to stop the kicking, but this invokes the hospital rule above.

Answer 86

There is no point in fineing the guilty players as their wages are so high they never get fined enough to notice.

Maybe a ban of two games would get the point through. If every time they are caught then an extra games ban is added on.

If they are going to be fined then make it a high amount so as to act as a real deterent. Say a months wages.

Also fine the club and maybe dock the points they gained (If any). then maybe the clubs will start to deal with these diving cheats themselves.

Answer 87

Give players A two match ban and fine the club. Also if a goal or win was a result of the drive, Give the win to the other team.

If a team has two or more diving offences in a season deduct ten points from them.

Then we will see a reduction in diving.

Answer 88

i wouldnt try to build up slowly as some people have said.



again football can take a leaf from the rugby world where a citing officer reviews the television footage after a game and goes through picking out all the dangerous bits the ref missed.

if this is considered severe enough then a disciplinary hearing is held and if upheld the party concerned usually gets a ban.



so this would hurt them in the pocket, repeated incidences would need something more severe like season long bans or even lifetime bans - that would make them think twice before they did it.

Answer 89

I Believe Penalty Diving is a waste of time on the clock and for the fans, A complete disrespect for the game and the officials. If a player lays on the ground writhing in pain until a card is either given or not, then gets up and merrily trots away

a solid booking (red card) should be given for unsportsmanlike conduct and, suspension from the next match. Eventually the Players would play, demonstrating skill and sportsmanship.

Answer 90

I think the offence of penalty diving can be punished by banning the player from playing in his team's next match in that specific competition.

By applying this penalty to the offence of penalty diving, i am sure that the players would think twice before trying to make an attempt to dive in order to win a penalty.

This is the most suitable way to stop the players from diving inside the penalty box in my opinion!

Answer 91

Review all matches on TV retrospectively.



Publish a divers' league table.



Divers get, say, 5 points for simulation and 1 point for making a meal of things when contact has been made eg grabbing their face when they have received contact to their chest, or rolling around on the floor after light contact.



Any player with a 30 day cumulative total of 10 points is banned until their enough time has passed for their cumulative 30 day total to be lower than 10 points - this will usually mean a one game ban.



Although this will not cut out the occasional diver it will mean the persistent cheats are named, shamed and banned.

Answer 92

I agree with other answers. Since diving is difficult for a referee to spot during a game, anyone suspected of diving to earn a penalty, get another player booked, or to simply waste time, should be subject to video scrutiny and if diving is proven a retrospective yellow card should be issued. Accumulation of yellow cards, say for example three over three games, attracts a single match ban. Since it would be retrospective, if diving is proven three times in one game, it should carry a red card penalty and a three match ban.

Answer 93

Fines or suspensions are not going to stop players cheating unless the directive comes from their own club or manager. If the club is penalised by losing points in the league or matches in a cup competition I believe we would see a dramatic drop in the number of players falling over and feigning injury. I accept that this is a very harsh punishment but as a long time player & fan something has to be done URGENTLY!

Answer 94

A very good punishment, would be.THE SIN BIN as played in rugger,not only dose the player who commits the the fault but the team as well suffers i would think twice before taking a dive.what is also needed badly is the replay,for the ref to get it right, video T V. The offence of diving shown on screen would make any sportman cringe.

Answer 95

It has to be dealt with off the pitch really, the diving player should be punished in the same way that the other player would have been had the ref believed the dive. i.e if the player dives in the penalty area under a challenge by the last man he should be given a red card.

Answer 96

I think video evidence should be used and those who clearly dive to gain a penatly should have the goal if scored taken off the result and therefore any resulting loss of point should also be deducted and the player involved in the diving should be given a 3 match ban which should the offence occur again be increased.

Answer 97

As a cheating with direct influence on the match result, I think neither the player nor his club can take an unfair advantage.

The player should have the correspondent sanction (yellow card) the same way as he would do if the cheating act was seen by the referee.

The Club should be disqualified from that game. The same penalty as if he doesn't appear to play may be applied. 3-0

Answer 98

Banning them based on post match viewings is a good idea, but looking at other sports its not really necessary in faking an injury scenarios.



You don’t get rugby players rolling around on the floor then springing up once a foul is given. This is partly due to the players themselves and partly due to a simple rule - the minute someone appears injured they are immediately taken off on a stretcher for treatment. Managers want their best players on the pitch, not down a dark tunnel with some nurses.

Answer 99

At the end of the day, it's just a game. If people feel the need to cheat then why play at all? I don’t know much about football, but I would say ban them for a whole season. Whether the club suffers or not, I'm sure punishment of that extent would certainly make a diver think twice. These idiots don’t deserve to be professionals.

Answer 100

A one point deduction from the teams total league points for every confirmed/adjudicated incident of diving... and a three match ban for the player concerned.



The muppet players that dive should do so in the knowledge that the entire team and club will suffer as a consequence. This pathetic practice of diving is a one of a number of issues affecting the credibility of claims to professionalism from top footballers.

Answer 101

To answer your answer literally and in its frankest terms, the punishment that should be delivered should take the form of a good hard thrashing on the buttocks. In monetary terms, perhaps arrestment of the players wages for some time and the money given to charity. If the diving is severe then the player should be arrested and charged. A cessation of the players career should ensue and the players club should be fined the equivalent of a years takings. Thankyou, Sepp Blatter.

Answer 102

I think fines and bans would be pointless, as they only target the individual player. Footy is a team sport, and far more effective tactic would be to treat each infraction as a successful penalty. In other words, a clear and confirmed dive would mean a goal awarded retroactively to the other team. An individual ban can be laughed off, but no player is going to want to face the wrath of his team mates and management for losing them the game after the event, is he? Peer pressure is the only way to solve the problem, in my opinion.

Answer 103

A player who is found to have dived after a match due to video evidence should be given the points that a player would receive for a yellow card, i.e 2 diving offences in the champions league would constitute a one match ban. or a diving offence and a yellow card in the same season would constitute a ban.

Answer 104

The offence shouldn't be punished after the game it should be done there and then, football should be the same as rugby - they should have video footage that the ref can ask to see before making any decisions. There are many times when a team is seen off by bad judgements from the ref.

Answer 105

I think the only way would be to disallow the goal if scored and if it means that clubs suffer points losses then perhaps they will encourage their players not to dive. If the goal scored from a proven dive decides a cup tie then the tie should be awarded to the other team. As for the player caught diving he should receive a red card the same as the last defender when he fouls a forward.

Answer 106

A lot is involved in supporting a football team and most times diving is like stabbing the game to death. If diving is discovered with the aid of technology, the penalty should be that such dishonesty be punished by ways of suspension of individual player involved and deduction of points for team of such player that brought the game to a state of disrepute.

Answer 107

In many sports, if a player goes down and the play has to be stopped as a result, that player must sit out a certain amount of time. I was amazed that this was not the case as I watched the World Cup. Players went down, writhed in pain and were sometimes even carried off the field on a stretcher. Then the trainer sprayed something on their "injury" and they rejoined play immediately. Why not make a player who goes down and forces a stoppage in play to be substituted out and remain off the field for a significant peroid of time? Feigning injury would be much more serious if the result was missing a significant number of minutes.

Answer 108

I am not sure of a good punishment after the game but the Laws of the Game allow for the players to be "punished" during the game. Simple, send the "injured" player off the pitch for treatment and do not let him on until enough time has passed for effective treatment. Five minuets should do it. No player is allowed to re-enter the playing field without the permission of the referee.

Answer 109

If a player is lying on the ground writhing in pain (from diving or not); and a penalty is given or not, why doesn't the "injured" player get a short rest period on the bench and be replaced with another player. This may stop the divers from intentionally doing so if they think they will be taken off the field even for a short time and replaced by one of their teammates.

Answer 110

if a player is found to have cheated a penalty simply give the player in question a straight red after the game, leaving him with an immediate three match ban. fine the player and club. any teams that are consistent offenders, maybe a points deduction should be considered.



only drastic measures will stop this blight on our marvellous game. players are not only cheating the game, they are cheating the fans.

Answer 111

If the player's are found guilty 3 mach ban and a fine. Points deducted from the team and also fine the team involved. Hit the managers as well as the players. This come from an Arsenal fan who's team has a few divers in it

Answer 112

Remove the goal scored (if the penalty is given and scored). Deduct one point from the team. Fine the player, fine the manager, fine the team. If the same player is found guilty for a second time in one season suspend him and deduct 3 points from the team. The management know their players dive so they should be punished to.

Answer 113

has anybody thought that the diving players may not be to blame? football is a beautiful game, but has become a horrible business. look at drogba falling about whenever the wind changes direction! does his manager say "didier, dont do that". of course not, does mr abromovic say to his manager "jose, dont worry too much about the champions leauge or the premiership this season, ill stick by you whatever, just do the best you can" of course not. and do hardcore protesting moaning chelsea fans say"wouldnt it be wonderful to win the league cup this year" of course not.

sorry to pick on chelsea fans but it was the easiest club that sprung to mind. the sad fact is fans moan at the board, board sacks manager, so the manager pressures the player to dive.

you will never stop this because it now a business first and a sport second.

Answer 114

I think that the 'sin bin' should be introduced where the offending player is sent off for 15 or 20 minutes. That would soon cut out the diving. Drogba was a disgrace in the Liverpool v Chelsea game and the sin bin would have been perfect for him.

Answer 115

I think that the only way to punish divers is to ban them. You would have to be 100% sure that a dive has taken place and if so then the player should be banned for a minmum of 3 games. They should also be fined the same amount of salary that they would have earned in those games, only in this way, in my opinion, would players get the message that diving will not be tolerated.

Answer 116

3 game ban for first offence followed by 5 game for the next and then 10 games for any following in the same season.Also a points deduction for the team who the diving players is playing for ,same as the players ban;3 points for first offence then 5,then 10. some teams could finish with minus points total. that would stop them

Answer 117

Players who are found to have blatantly dived should be banned for 1 or 2 games. Consistent diving should result in further bans until the conduct stops. Its not part of the game and cheapens it unjustifiably. Fines are pointless given the wages being paid. Perhaps those who are given yellow or red cards due to a players dive should have those rescinded?

Answer 118

Persistent diving for penalties should be an offence under the rules and a match ban awarded after say two offences. It would hurt the club and inevitably hurt the player financially.

Answer 119

Video technology should be used for critical game changing decisions.

The game has already stopped so it wouldn't slow down the game while a 4th ref reviews the video from different angles.

If a dive is clear then the player is red-carded immediately and no penalty.

If no dive is clear then award the penalty.

Video in this instance would not interfere with the flow of the game.

Answer 120

simply,if the video is watched and a player is found to dive he is banned for say six games and branded a cheat.If the penalty wins the game cancel the goal award the other team the goal ban the player and fine not the club but the head coach as it seems they don't mind there own players doing it but oh don't do it to us.I am from Scotland and rangers and celtic have done it for years so it may even things out and help the smaller teams.

Answer 121

The only way to stop this happening is to stop the players doing what they get paid for. If the players are suspended for one match after two incidents of clear diving it will make them think twice about their actions during the game. Also, fine the clubs heavily, this will put the players under pressure from their management and also force the clubs to ensure their players dont commit such an unsporting act.

Answer 122

If it is done to win games then points docking system should be introduced, for example if the score is 1-1 and the offence is done to make it 2-1 then 2 points should be docked and the points shared or if its 1-0 and its commited to make it 1-1 then one point should be deducted and three points awarded to the other team and if its 0-0 and its done to make it 1-0 then all three points should be deducted and one point awarded to the other team. The person who commited the offence should face a three match ban and a heavy fine.

Answer 123

A panel of experts to reveiw video evidence would decide if a player had deliberately dived to try and gain a penalty. If this was the case then the player would receive an immediate one match ban. If the same player re-offended in the same seaon then they would receive a five match ban.

Answer 124

Introduce Video ref as in Rugby League . I can see no valid argument against this . It would put an end to diving and all other foul conduct . Also any arguing with the ref , should be immediate Red card . Bring some discipline back to the game !!!

Answer 125

1:Review video footage after the match. If there is clear evidence of diving then an 'off the pitch' yellow card could be given. If a total of 2 yellow cards are given [on or off the pitch] in the same game = red card a next game ban.



2: Or, 2 off-the-pitch cards in one season = red card and a 1 match ban.



3: Or, 2 off-the-pitch yellow cards = 1 game ban and community service in the form of coaching for under-privilaged kids!



Giving fines is pointless, footballers have far too much money, they wouldn't even notice the deduction.

Answer 126

I say take no action. Video evidence should only be used where a player has deliberately injured another. The game needs controversy, it thrives from it. I don't agree with players diving, but who can say that if the centre forward of their own team went down in the box in "dubious" circumstances, that they would not be delighted if the resulting penalty won them the Premiership or Scottish Cup?

Answer 127

Penalty diving should be punished, by the OTHER team being awarded the penalty kick, instead, - AND, by having the offending PLAYER sent OFF, - then, BANNED from EVERY level of football, for all, but the FIRST game of EVERY SEASON!



Come to think of it, though, - if that HAPPENS, then Manchester United will be paying the extortionate wages of Cristiano Ronaldo, ONLY, for him to spend his time sat in the DRESSING ROOM, or on the BENCH!

Answer 128

If it is proved that a player dived then make him wear a band or something for the next three games that he plays. During this time the referees are not allowed to award a foul against him. Football matches would be far more entertaining if there were players who could legally be fouled.

Answer 129

Fines don't hurt clubs, suspensions and points deductions do!! Diving is a yellow card offence, so that answers that one. Then possibly 1 point deducted for every 5 instances of confirmed diving. Then let's see how quickly it disappears from the game.

Answer 130

You have to hit both the player and the club as one commits the offence and the other promotes or condones it.



One match suspension for a player for a first offence in a season

Three match ban for a player for a second offence in a season

Three point deduction from a club for three offences within a season

Two goal penalty for a club in a cup competition for three offences to be deducted in next round played either this season or next, (in case they are already knocked out).

Answer 131

There are worse things than cheating in football, i.e racism, dangerous career-threatening tackles - but they are hard to spot.

Everyone cheats - look at Kuyt's push on Chelsea defence during the Euro Semi--Final which set up Agger for the goal.

That's worse than diving in the box.

UEFA are pathetic - it should be up to the ref to send the player off if he feels like it and then leave it at that.

The rules are fine the way they are.

Some plum on here suggested docking 75% of wages! - get a life mate

Answer 132

It's about time that modern technology is brought into the game in order to rid the game of these overpaid cheats. They are ruining the high level of sportsmanship that is enjoyed in many other sports, and cheating the dedicated fans, who have paid extortionate prices to watch these games. It would only take a handful of players to be severely punished, before the others realise that they are not going to get away with it, and stop this disgraceful behaviour.

Answer 133

In american football (nfl) players who are hurt must leave the pitch for a minimum of 1 play. Why not make players who have been "hurt" in footy leave the pitch for a minimum of 3 minutes and the team can then play on with 10 men. Coaches will soon get fed up of players diving who then spend all their time waiting to come back on...alternatively send them to "recover" for a minimum of 10 minutes, but allow a blood sub to replace them.

Answer 134

If video evidence was found to be conclusive then the player should receive a retrospective yellow card and then used in a naming a shaming campaign. If a player was to receive needless bookings such as this then I'm sure the manager would not be best pleased. This, combined with bad PR for the player and club will surely stop players from doing it

Answer 135

Have the tapes of games be reviewed and if it is determined that the player embellished the foul or faked the foul, have them suspended a game for the first offence and increased punishment with each offence after that. If these habitual divers are penalized enough via games and the pocket book, they will get the message sooner or later.

Answer 136

Why After the games?.. introduce instant replay during the game. Punishment could be something like 2 game suspension.



If you insist on a punishment after the game then .. 2 game suspension for the player and a hefty fine for the club or deduction of points.

Answer 137

Put a second referree on the field and make yellow cards a sin bin offense like in rugby. Send a yellow carded player to the sin bin for 10 minutes. No team would want to play down a man for 10 and that should stop the yellows all together.

Answer 138

I think it would be better to fine the whole clubs who do so little to teach their players good moral values not only of football but also of fair play. Top clubs like Chelsea should be fined for always not taking actions against their champion-diver, Didier Drogba, who is a master-diver. The clubs should be fined and I bet you that the management would do all to bring more rigour on their players. the other way is to doubly fine the player who is guilty of diving, i.e. the club should fine him and the authorities of the competition under which he is playing as well.

Answer 139

Its easy. Any player guilty of diving should lose a finger. When there are no fingers left, start on the toes. After that maybe an eye or an ear, and so on. Players like Drogba and Ronaldo would be reduced to torso's, and fair play will prevail.

Answer 140

Simply - deduct the team in which the offending player is a member of the number of points which they won in the game. Where the game ends in a draw deduct 1 (one ) point. In the event of a cup game the offending player should sit out the next game in the competition even if the player has changed teams in the intervening period.

Answer 141

Shouldnt be punished after games, it should be sorted during games with the aid of action replay. This would be a great aid to any referee and would help them im making the right decision, that way managers would stop moaning and placing the blame on referees than have to deal with there divers No place for them in the beautiful game. . .

Answer 142

ok well i think that if you wait till after the game then the damage is already done i.e if sumone dives n wins a penalty n they score they will not be botherd byea yellow card after the game or a fine ,so i think that if the referee is unsure he should have officails quickly look at a instant reply then the ref can decide the punishment there n then ,like in rugby and cricket ,hopefully i make sense

Answer 143

If a panel of independent scrutineers decide that video replay evidence proves a cheat, then the 3 points should be deducted from the offenders team and 1 point given to the opponents

Answer 144

Why after the game?? I've always thought that the referee should send people off for a 5 or 10 minute spell DURING the game, after all if he's rolling around in agony, or injured, surely he'll need at least 5 minutes to recover :)

Answer 145

Every time someone does they should get a certain amount of money reduced from their pay and be banned for 2 matches. To prevent them from doing it, the refs should have people watching the television, like they do in rugby, who they can talk with so they can see whether it was a dive or not, and who was to blame.

Answer 146

Like the little boy who cried wolf if a player dives give the opposition defender's the right to commit say 3 diabolical fouls against the guilty player without punishment!!

That would make them think twice before they try a theatrical dive

Answer 147

If the ref 100% believes he's seen a dive - instant red card to the 'diver'. If it goes undetected, At the officials insistance on games with footage available after a retrospective red card to include necessary 2 game ban's for THAT COMPETITION. Fines are pointless.

Answer 148

the technology is there - use it. an independent board to review cases after matches and ban the cheats !!!!

the ref could take some action during the match too - if a player rolls over 15 times, or is laying on the pitch holding his face (drogba last night) they are obviously 'injured' and should not be allowed back on the pitch for at least 5 minutes, enabling them to receive the treatment befitting their 'injury'.

Answer 149

If the opposing manager raises an objection the governing body of that specific country (e.g. the FA in England) should review the incident in question and, if found guilty, the player should be banned for three games for bringing the game into disrepute. That would stop it.

Answer 150

Referees need to clamp down on diving during the game, by awarding a yellow card for any blatant dive. Too often the refs seem afraid to confront this issue, especially when Chelsea are involved.

Answer 151

as we all know it is very difficult for refs in a game, and after a game the result will still stand, so in order for a diver to be effectively punished, i believe, the opposition coaches should be allowed to request a panel judges if a dive was in deed a dive, and after that once confirmed, a heavy forced should be forced, for example a straight 3 match ban, get hard on cheats or they will keep using it to there advantage

Answer 152

Well,



Three yellow cards in a course of a fixtured season, adds to a match ban. Start from zero, then another three, you get a two match ban. Etcetera.



Referee's must maintain a discipline to any rule they develop regarding diving. No leeway should be given to big name players. Also, no referee should be swayed by other players: pushing of ref. crowding of ref. swearing at ref.

Answer 153

if proved without doubt?? i would like to see the player involved receive a minimum of a three match ban. and it made policy of the club involved to stop the players wages for the length of time they are out.. as you well know refs have a hard time. its not a easy job and mistakes can be made. but if we can sort out the cheating. the refs job will become much easier.we need to come down hard on cheats its the only way we can stop it?? take care Mr frisk.



ps any money made by the fines could go to a charity of the opposing sides choice.

Answer 154

As the whole team would benefit from the penalty, deduct 1 point from the team and a yellow card for the guilty player.



It should enforce the rule of fair play and sportsmanship

Answer 155

If diving to gain a penalty, there is a penalty where the player dived. The player whom dived has to take the penalty.He has to score, if he doesn't its a goal to the other team. Plus he gets a yellow card.

Answer 156

Simple - you dive and gain a penalty or a free kick you miss the next mach - if theydo it again they miss a couple of maches, also make sure that they a doced the pay they would recive for those matches - if there not playing because of diving why should they make the money.

Answer 157

Its a sorry state now, to see the likes of Cole and Robben following the Drogba dive school.

Post match bans or yellow cards are the only answer, or maybe fines relative to wages. Not the normal mickey mouse fines which relate to 2 hours work !!!!!!

Drogba is not the only one admittedly but he "does" the best job !!!!

Answer 158

Following 5 offences (validated through video) the entire team should be penalized by points (1) being taken from the tables. I am sure you would see less dives

Answer 159

I think that if found guilty of diving the team should be punished by starting the next game with a goal down. It would certainly make them think and it would encourage attacking play.

Answer 160

Any player cheating by diving should be forced to play in goal for his teams next two games if he likes diving that much. A "D" should be printed on his shirt, and his team deducted three points.

Answer 161

give a 5 match ban if the player is seen diving twicegive a huge fine to the club as then the managers will make the players stop

Answer 162

as it is usually a big name player ban them for 5 matches and fine the manager not the club, this should encourage the boss to stop the dirty tactics of the dirty players! also if a team has five counts of blatant dives in one season deduct 3 points from the team.

Answer 163

It should be punished during games by public shaming. Have the announcers yell DIVE - the way they yell GOAL and then all the fans shout SHAME as enthusiastically as they would cheer. Then, play the dive over and over on the jumbo screen while the fans turn their backs to the game. This must apply to both sides equally.

Answer 164

I would suggest the FA record a tally of dives as it does for goals scored, and report them together with the other player statistics. The media could highlight the top divers along with the top scorers for any country, league or competition.

Answer 165

It should be at the discresion of the ref and lines men whether it was a 'fake' dive,there and then.If its deamed as a cheating dive then it should be a yellow card to the 'diver'.Fines wont work i dont think.Hey,maybe a penalty could be awarded to the other team?!

Answer 166

opinion is going to be divided in this one but i think a three match ban and giving the club a big heavy fine is a bit harsh.



I am not being soft on the players that do dive but i think a red card and a 2 or 3 match ban is enough.

Answer 167

I think diving should be punished. I think fining players who are found trying to gain an unfair advantage should be fined, cautioned and if they carry on diving, a two match suspension, but in a match it depends what situation the player is in

Answer 168

No penalty, just let the players roll around the pitch and continue play. The diver has already taken himself out of the play. The opposing team can take advantage of this

Answer 169

With the Electric Chair...



Bring back captial punishment!



Darrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Answer 170

This is if you manage to read down this far, the players could get suspended for the next match they won't like that. That could stop diving.

Answer 171

The divers will sit out 60 minutes of the next game. if they dive on the next game they will be banned from 3 matches

Answer 172

well, half the instances of diving are carried out by Didier Drogba, Thierry Henry and the rest of the Arsenal team, so by banning these people from sport except for the olympics -in the diving- the the problem is lessened!

Answer 173

Slap a 5 game ban on the referee.They are conned too easily because the majority of them have never played the game.They seem to think if a player falls over he must have been fouled.

Answer 174

It shouldnt be. Develop the game with goal line technology but no need to review diving if the ref misses it then tuff luck. It adds to the drama of the premiership, and we are always saying it is the best in world so if aint broken....

Answer 175

I genuinely love watching football but am getting sick of people diving, to name but a few.....chritiano ronaldo, didier drogba and now worst of all seems to be joe cole jumping about arching his back like he has been shot!! to thnk we always slam foreigners for diving and now one of englands hottest players is doing it is proof enough that almost everybody regardless of nationality is diving/cheating to win fouls/penalties!



The only way i think to punish these people is to retrospectively ban them for 1 game everytime they are proved to have dived to win a penalty. Being banned for one game everytime should persuade managers to also stamp it out so as to have their players for every game possible. There is no other solution im afraid, zero tolerance will rid the game of cheating!!

Answer 176

it could be punished by giving the player a 1 to 2 games ban and if they dive often fine the club a sum of money

Answer 177

Post match viewing of videos,. punishment could be in the form of points per offence points add up to yellow card.

so after watching Drogbar last night against liverpool we could award him two Penalty Points. one more and he gets a yellow card..

An intersting Table could be published, to see who tops the diving league at the end of the season. Ronaldo could add Diver of the Year to his Player of the Year award.

Answer 178

With either fines or bans, also diving within the game for no reason should be punished it is silly for them to be diving, look at Drogba last night in Liverpool v Chelsea, one minute he was throwing himself on the floor and the next running round?? pathetic, also I think when the ball goes out and (like Ashley Cole last night) the player who kicks it out tried to get the ball, it is cheating plain and simple and should be punished. good luck on your quest xx

Answer 179

Definately at least a two match ban, that would stop most of them as fines wouldn't coz its just money that means nothing to most!!



Means that Drogba will only play 1 in every 3 games!!

Answer 180

take the issue out of the hands of the refs during the game. after games a panel looks at incidents on video and any divers given a 5 match ban.

Answer 181

diving should warrant a yellow card at least. The persistant diving by drogba during both legs of the semi final of the champions league tarnished the two games.

Answer 182

2 match automatic suspension for the player, fine for club with 5 point deduction for 5 offenses over the course of a domestic season. In Cup competitions, European or domestic, immediate forfeit of the match.

Answer 183

Take points away from the club - a three point penalty will soon stop the cheats being fielded - back to a game of skill

Answer 184

give the player a yellow card based on video evidence, also give yellow cards to players waving 'imaginary cards' & protesting to referees, only the captains &/or player involved should be allowed to approach ref - not all 11 players as we sometimes see. Once players start to get cards & suspensions this affects the whole team, fines for premiership clubs are pointless

Answer 185

by giving out punishments that will make the offender suffer. at the very least it should be a 10 match ban. this would soon rid the game of diving cheats.

Answer 186

I remember this year, Adriano deliberately dived in the penalty box in a game against AS Roma recently and he was given a 2 match ban. i think the best punishment really is 2 games.

Answer 187

It is pointless fining most players or clubs for cheating because they are so rich it doesn't mean anything to them. A panel of so called experts - ex referees, ex players, media commentators, fans - could preside over any "simulation" decisions and if found guilty 1 point deducted from the offending team, the cheating would disappear overnight

Answer 188

since there is a random urine test for players after the match to examine doping,why can't we have a lie detector test for those who is being accused of deliberately diving for penalty?if he fail the test,ban 1 match. if similar diving incident which involved the same player occur again and he failed the test,ban 2 match....heavier penalisation can be imposed if it is a 3rd time offender such as fine for both player and club or.....

Answer 189

They player that's dives should get a 3 match ban, a fine and not get his wages paid for a month. Also he should have to make a public announcement and apologise to both clubs about his unsportsmanlike conduct.

Answer 190

A one point deduction for every confirmed incident would put a stop to it.

That way it would be up to the teams to make sure the players do not think about diving.

Answer 191

Sideline for 3 matches and make public the reason why. Players of this nature are defacing a great game - embarrass them. Nobody wants to be a laughing stock.

Answer 192

Introduce match bands for the individual player and fine the club.

You could also take points away from the club if it was a league game .

Answer 193

2 points a dive 6 points then a 10 game ban

Answer 194

Have a video of the offence shown to the officles and managers, then let those in charge of the game,meet out the punishment, that is if they have the guts to do so.

Answer 195

if it is proven even after the game is over,then I think that a 2 match ban is warrented.If a repeat offence occurs double the penalty,No appeal should be allowed to stop the suspension from taking place.The Club should also be fined heavily.

Answer 196

Simply take two points of in the league table for the side whos player dived!

Answer 197

Go to video evidence (like rugby and cricket) penalty if required or send off diver, only way your gonna stop the likes of Ronaldo and Drogba (who by the way is such a girl, he's huge why does he fall over all the time it should take a bulldozer to take him to ground))

Answer 198

In Drogba's case I guess that why he didnt get PFA player of the year as its about all round game not just scoring goals.

Ronaldo has completely cleaned up his act this year.

Unfortunately Drogba gets worse by the match he even holds the wrong side of his head sometimes

Answer 199

It is now the 21st century, start using video playback to aid correct decision making, and penalise the cheating player's club points when it occurs, Money means less than points to the cheats team.

When the teams manager is informed of who is at fault, let him deal out personnel fines - should he wish.

Answer 200

Too many players fall over and just lie there until they get what they want from the referees and then they get up and walk away unhurt. I think it is unfair and it tarnishes the game. It is unsportly and I think for repeat offenders it should be punished after the game.

Answer 201

In a similar way that Refs should be punished maybe for incompetent refereeing?



Pot & Kettle Mr Frisk!!

Answer 202

ban the guilty player for a couple of games. even if the dive was not for a penalty. i'm sure top managers would soon take a stand if they found themselves without 4 or 5 players for a couple of games...

kel385

Answer 203

pure and simple, all that needs to be done is a 3 point deduction, so if their dive results in their team winning they wont get the points for it, and if their dive leads to their team getting a draw then they are losing points for it. either way the people paying the wages for these drama queens to dive around will soon put a stop to it.

Answer 204

Ban the offending player for 3 matches.

Answer 205

same as any offence during or after the game hit him with suspension not a fine that's an easy way out punish both him and the club because if a result in favour as arisen the opponents were punished by a cheat.

Answer 206

fine and suspension and when repeat offence occurs the fine should be higher and the suspension for a longer period of time also if the diver is the one to score the penalty then that goal should be taken from their goal tally

Answer 207

Fined a weeks wages for each single dive, Pro players should know better than to cheat. They are giving themselves and their team a bad name, which goes to show, they just dont care and are simply in it for the money.

Answer 208

an automatic one match ban and a fine of 1 weeks wages, which would be re-invested into grass roots football. any player committing the offence again in the course of the season would then be subject to a increased ban and fine.

Answer 209

if it is proved beyond doubt that the player cheated, then his team scored the penalty, deduct the goal, and adjust points accordingly, if its a cup match, and the goal changes or wins the game, replay the match. book the player, if he already was on a yellow, send him a 2nd yellow in the post, and a one match ban.

Answer 210

Those players should be warned because they are cheats. If after two warnings they still carry on diving then they should be suspended for at least one match.

Answer 211

With the award of retrospective yellow cards.Two instances in the same game = red card (1 match ban)

Answer 212

You have to make it so that in the long run the cheating does not pay off. The reason they cheat is because they believe that it will pay off for them. If they think it would most likely work against them then I bet it wouldnt happen nearly as often.



how to get them to think this way??



Maybe it is a 3 game ban for one deliberate infraction.

Answer 213

Video evidence after the match and then getting banned for a game. May seem harsh, but it would prevent people from doing it again.

Answer 214

How about one goal deduction? No-one likes a cheat.



It's a shame you left the profession Mr Frisk. We love you here in England, come and visit us sometime.

Answer 215

It's cheating - pure and simple.

The offender should be immediately banned pending an investigation, and if upheld, a fine = 75% of his annual salary imposed + a 1 year ban.

We need a deterrent it's no good being soft on these overpaid ballerinas! (Yes - i am a lifelong football fan)

Answer 216

if a player is caught cheating to get a penalty he should be fined three weeks salary and banned for three matches also if the players start to argue with the ref and ref is correct after video evidence they should be banned for three games and fined at least two weeks salary

Answer 217

Fine both club and player heavily, straight red card for player, and a 3 match ban.

Answer 218

A long ban like 3 months. It's cheating after all. What ban do you get for taking performance enhancing drugs? That's cheating as well.

Answer 219

none after a game since the rules of soccer can only apply during the game. I am a ref also. Sometimes we can not do anything about it.



We win some, we loose some.

Answer 220

I'd suggest awarding an immediate penalty against the diver's team

Answer 221

after video evidence of two such incidents a one match ban , fines are no good as these players are all wealthy sitting on the sideline hurts them more plus it makes their club pay attention and they get the player to sort it out. it has to be hard punishment

Answer 222

WELL AN EASY WAY OF FINDING A DIVER IN A GAME IS BY USING THE TECHNOLOGY THAT THEY USE IN RUGBY. FOR INSTANCE CHECK THE BORED FOR A REPLY IF THE REFEREE THINKS IT IS A FOUL IF NOT JUST BOOK HIM (YELLOW) AND IF IT IS THEN IT (SHOWN BY THE SCREEN WICH MOST FOOTBALL STADIUMS HAVE and if it a dive its a card (red) plus 2 match ban.

thanks ;-)

Answer 223

A three (3) point deduction, also for yellow card offences, ten minutes in the sin bin.

Answer 224

my thoughts are if they want to dive give up football and be a swimmer, but they real answer is for the refs to start booking them, at least the game can get back to how it should be played by men, not actors

Answer 225

Maybe a bit like Rugby.

If they dive send them to a sin bin for 10 minutes

Answer 226

TIME TO USE VIDEO REPLAY and punish accordingly ! The field is big, the game is much faster and the athletes are faster. The ref can't possibly see everything.

Answer 227

simply wait for 2 confirmed incidents by video, then give the player an off the pitch 'yellow card'. 5 yellow cards over the season = 1 match ban

Answer 228

I think the best way is to widely publicise the deed and getting the player ashamed of his act.

I also think that match bans for exceptionally important matches be put into place.

Answer 229

By forcing the guilty player to wear "clown shoes" instead of boots, thereby humiliating the player and penalising the team!

Answer 230

They should be made to publicly admit they cheated. The club should be fined and the player give their match fee & their team mates match fee to charity (or invested in the lower leagues).

Answer 231

The only answer to diving is taking away club points. Theyll soon shape up !

Answer 232

Give a penalty kick for the other team.

Answer 233

Each week or month have a "best dive" show on participating sport networks.

Eventually organize mock award for diving.

This publicity will eventually embarrass "divers" and discourage them from their "art"

Answer 234

Very simple! Using banning measures after being absolutly sure it was a dive... maybe even a fine! Everyone reacts to money...!!!

Answer 235

The player who dives should be held down by the other players whilst the Referee issues him with a 'Roman Helmet'.



http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=roman+helmet

Answer 236

The offending player should be anally raped 15 minutes after the match has ended.

Answer 237

If proven by video evidence maybe a one match ban plus a cash fine on the player not the club.UEFA could maybe naming and shaming players weekly on its website.

Answer 238

made to run three laps of the pitch after the game in front of the fans with a dunce hat on

Answer 239

Post match yellow cards definitely. In addition I think there should be a cards for any dissent to the ref.

Answer 240

Divers should get a ban in the same manner as someone who gets a red or yellow card.

Answer 241

by issueing an after match yellow card if they had already got a yellow in the game then an instant suspension that would stop the cheats. players get payed to much to get fined they would just laugh at a fine..

Answer 242

A 2 match ban after the disciplinary - they are always clear dives after the fact. These are nearly always the people who make games, scores goals and it would hit cheats where it hurts.



Fines are pointless in today's game. The cheats are making top flight football a disgrace

Answer 243

Thats rich coming from the man who went into the Barca dressing room at half time.

Answer 244

Award the other team a penalty free kick..

Answer 245

Ritually humiliate them for being such pansies in the first place by making them play for the rest of the season in dresses, girlie shoes and and blonde girly wigs with pig tails..

Answer 246

10 Match ban and 10 weeks wages + fine the club £500,000

for every time it happens

Answer 247

Throw the offending player into the stand where the opposing supporters are. That would stop them. And finish their careers, the cheating fairies.

Answer 248

Diving is unsportsman like conduct. The guilty player should get a three match ban and the club should be heavily fined. Players who wave imaginary cards should also be booked.

Answer 249

Use a video referee to penalise players like drogba

Answer 250

Ban them for 2 matches.

Answer 251

Charge them and with bringing the game into disrepute then ban them for the season or longer

Answer 252

Simply a red card. They miss the next game or two.

Answer 253

start a league of all the footballers who take a dive, name and shame them on a points system see who gets top of the champlionship then

Answer 254

Fine the player a weeks wages and also give a yellow card, in my eyes this would prevent it.

Answer 255

Very easily....as referees poor track record of punishing divers ON the pitch is clear...

Answer 256

I think you should be given an off-match warning. Once you get 2 warnings you will recive a match ban.

Answer 257

Fine the players a small percentage of their salary. 1% each time. If it costs them money they may be reluctant to do again.

Answer 258

irrelevant of the score or the awarding of penalties, 1 point deduction or in knock out matches 1 goal deduction, technology today can have this matter sorted out in a matter of minutes.

Answer 259

Simple just ask Cristiano Ronaldo to stop doing it

Answer 260

i think they should be banned for 2 games like the chelsea players cheats

Answer 261

a 3 match ban and a £10,000 fine

Answer 262

A big fine and a free dive on the motorway!!

Answer 263

take the offending player back on the pitch & wipe his nose into the penalty spot

Answer 264

I reckon a two match ban and a substantial fine should do it

Answer 265

Hit them with a rubber stick

Answer 266

Club and Player should be fined

Answer 267

Club should face a hefty fine and the diver should have a 3 game ban!!!! that should deter the sneaky buggers!!!! ;-(

Answer 268

i think they should be banned for two games and fined As my husband is a referee for the helliniki league.

Answer 269

Give them a yellow card, or a match suspension if they complain.

Answer 270

match bans are the only way to go but chelsea would never have drogba i've never seen anyone fall injured so easily!!!!

Answer 271

the fourth official have to be linked with video replay's or something simmilar

Answer 272

by not letting them play the next game

Answer 273

one match ban decided afterwards by panel of refs

Answer 274

TV evidence.first time one game banned.second time two games banned and so on

Answer 275

No punishment, what for? you cant change the match result..

Use video refreeing. It will cure all matters.

Answer 276

a 0.5 point removal from the offending team

Answer 277

I'm drinking apple juice, bet YOUR jealous :D

Answer 278

it's part of the football, love it or hate it, it's been that way forever, so leave it alone and get on with your life, as simple as that.

Answer 279

Yes! This will make games more fairer!

Answer 280

mild scolding and 666 lashes.

Answer 281

Make them give their car away..... or merely cut off their heads

Answer 282

punishment is soft language for such dishinest,and abusive behaviour,and the fans who worship these cheats should know better

Answer 283

3 GAME BAN FOR BRINGING THE GAME INTO DISREPUTE.

Answer 284

Sack'em! Half are just overpaid actors anyway ;)

Answer 285

deduct points from them

Answer 286

By haevy fines and suspension

Answer 287

BAN ' EM!

Answer 288

make them run and practise more because that's Wat they need to work on so get there endurance up and make them practise offence so try more scrimmaging at practise. and make them run.

Answer 289

punch their face

Answer 290

Summary execution.

Answer 291

chelsea are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!