First step taken towards halting new breed of cheat

Last updated : 16 February 2006 By Editor

The PFA’s chief executive, Gordon Taylor confirmed the meeting took place and said his union had already drafted slogans for an educational campaign. "Save Diving for the Swimming Pool" and "Save Acting for the Screen" were both mentioned.

John Barnwell, the LMA chief executive, said: "Diving didn’t used to be a part of the mentality of the domestic players." Charlton manager Alan Curbishley is an executive member of the union. Rival bosses Sir Alex Ferguson and Sam Allardyce are the only other Premiership clubs whose manager is currently on the LMA committee. Notably they are all Brits.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick announced on his appointment at Soho Square a year ago that getting rid of diving was one of his top priorities. But he has been frustrated in his efforts to act because of the laws of the game, which prevent retrospective disciplinary action. How many times have you heard the old adage about the referee dealing with the incident by awarding a free-kick and therefore the FA cannot contravene?

Curbs spoke out about diving last week after the incident that caused Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina to be wrongly red carded ahead of the two club’s Premiership meeting. Ironically, his replacement in goal at the Valley, Jerzy Dudek accused Darren Bent of diving to win a penalty although there was no evidence to suggest that was the case, and even Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez later disagreed with Dudek’s remark.

Source: The Times' ‘Say No To Diving Campaign’