Diving (football)

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This article is about the act of simulation in football. For other uses of the term diving, see dive. For other uses of the word simulation, see simulation.

Diving (or simulation - the term used by FIFA) in the context of football is an attempt by a player to gain an unfair advantage by diving to the ground and possibly simulating an injury, to appear as if a foul has been committed. Dives are often used to exaggerate the amount of contact present in a challenge. Deciding on whether a player has dived is very subjective, and one of the most controversial aspects of football discussion. Players do this so they can receive free kicks or penalty kicks, which can provide scoring opportunities, or so the opposing player receives a yellow or red card, giving their own team an advantage. Diving is regarded as cheating by many football fans, particularly in England. It should be noted that fans usually support their players even if they do dive, the most common excuse is "everybody else does it, so why don't we?"

1 Punishment
2 Incidents
3 References
4 See also

[edit] Punishment

Football referees and the governing body FIFA are now trying to prevent diving with more powerful punishments as part of their ongoing target to stop all kinds of simulation in football.^[1] The game's rules now state that "Any simulating action anywhere on the field, which is intended to deceive the referee, must be sanctioned as unsporting behaviour" which is misconduct punishable by a yellow card.^[2] The rule changes are in response to an increasing trend of diving and simulation.

With more referees, governors and members of the public looking out for people diving, football players could think twice about diving or simulation. Most people involved in football think that diving is a harmful element of the game, and that many teams have lost games unfairly because of it. Many fans say the game will be much improved and more enjoyable without diving. Some fans however, enjoy good acting, especially when their team is successful in getting the call.

[edit] Incidents

During the 1998 World Cup, in the quarter-finals matchup between Argentina and the Netherlands, Ariel Ortega received a red card for headbutting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, after van der Sar confronted Ortega on his play-acting attempt to draw a penalty. Ortega had already been cautioned by the referee for diving. ^[3]^[4]

A notorious incident of a player not caught simulating until after the match occurred during the Brazil - Turkey group stage match during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Rivaldo was about to take a corner Hakan Ünsal of Turkey kicked the ball at him as he was annoyed about the time Rivaldo was taking and Turkey wanted to hurry up the game. The ball hit Rivaldo on his legs but he collapsed dramatically holding his face and consequently Ünsal was sent off and Brazil went on to win the match. Rivaldo was fined, but the sanctions were criticised as too lenient. Rivaldo's excuse was "I was thinking in advance, I thought that the ball was going to roll up my body and hit me in the head, therefore I tried to protect myself" ^[5]

On 5 February 2006, Arjen Robben exaggerated a fall after being shoved in the face by Liverpool F.C. goalkeeper José Reina, resulting in Reina being sent off. The incident came moments after Reina had made a clumsy challenge on another opponent.

At the 2006 World Cup, Italy's Fabio Grosso won a penalty allegedly diving after Australia defender Lucas Neill blocked his path to goal. Italy's penalty came with eight seconds left in the match and decided the result. Subsequent television replays showed there had been no contact between Grosso and Neill and the Italian instead deliberately tripped over Neill's body rather than avoiding him.

The above incident has been discussed countless times since the Australia vs Italy game. The decision could have gone either way as Neill dove in front of and obstructed Fabio Grosso. According to the FIFA 2006 ^[6], one of the conditions for awarding a direct free kick to the opposing team is tripping or attempt to trip. Subsequent television replays clearly show that the Australian defender pulled his left elbow back as Grosso was attempting to go over the top of him.