With diving becoming a common practice in the England, it is massively damaging the spirit of the beautiful game. In order to protect the game from further abuse, should the FA make use of video technology?
With the ascent of high definition cameras used to televise football matches, viewers have not only been able to enjoy the intricate details of the most popular sport in the world, but have also been able to witness subtle details of “tricks” often used by certain footballers, such as Luis Suarez, in order to turn the match in their team’s favor.
In the season so far, Liverpool players have received six yellow cards for simulation since the start of last season - more than any other club and more than 25 per cent of the overall total shown.
Described as “cancer” by Fifa vice-President Jim Boyce, diving is an act of wilfully falling on the ground during a match in order to fool the referee and win a free kick or penalty. It is done when a player of the opposing team tries to win possession, hence suggesting an ill-timed tackle.
With the available technology that we have, the question that arises is that should the English FA use video evidence to get rid of divers forever? It does not need a great deal of convincing to state that diving is, in the simplest of words, a form of cheating. It is clearly against the spirit of the game and gives football a bad name. It often gives the diver’s team a crucial unfair advantage.
What’s worse is that the huge youth following that football has will eventually start to accept diving as a norm instead of deceit, and it will become a part of an aspiring footballer’s game from a very young age in his career.
It is hence essential to take strong measures, to stop this menace that has become more noticeable since the advent of high definition cameras. While technology is being used to assist footballers in gaining the highest level of training, it should also be used to take care of those who think themselves to be above the rules of the game.
If the FA adopts a strong stance against even only a few of the culprits, the “cancer” of diving shall be eradicated from several generations of footballers to follow. When it comes to the spirit of the game, there should be no compromise whatsoever.
In the season so far, Liverpool players have received six yellow cards for simulation since the start of last season - more than any other club and more than 25 per cent of the overall total shown.
Described as “cancer” by Fifa vice-President Jim Boyce, diving is an act of wilfully falling on the ground during a match in order to fool the referee and win a free kick or penalty. It is done when a player of the opposing team tries to win possession, hence suggesting an ill-timed tackle.
With the available technology that we have, the question that arises is that should the English FA use video evidence to get rid of divers forever? It does not need a great deal of convincing to state that diving is, in the simplest of words, a form of cheating. It is clearly against the spirit of the game and gives football a bad name. It often gives the diver’s team a crucial unfair advantage.
What’s worse is that the huge youth following that football has will eventually start to accept diving as a norm instead of deceit, and it will become a part of an aspiring footballer’s game from a very young age in his career.
It is hence essential to take strong measures, to stop this menace that has become more noticeable since the advent of high definition cameras. While technology is being used to assist footballers in gaining the highest level of training, it should also be used to take care of those who think themselves to be above the rules of the game.
If the FA adopts a strong stance against even only a few of the culprits, the “cancer” of diving shall be eradicated from several generations of footballers to follow. When it comes to the spirit of the game, there should be no compromise whatsoever.
