Quote Originally Posted by surge View Post
It's not good enough to say "another case for technology" and that be the end of it. Ultimately, the technology would just be policing the players more effectively but these grown men shouldn't need policing and therefore we need a wider re-education programme too.

Questions to answer:
1. Who is teaching these kids to seek out contact even if there would be none naturally? Is it the same managers who would be so verbally critical of opposition players for doing the same? If yes then managers and coaches need to up their ideas.
2. Why are ex-pros so accepting of it? The majority of pundits are former players but apart from making the case for technology or arguing that refs wouldn't give a decision if the player didn't go down, what are they doing to stop these kids from cheating?
3. Is there too much of a disconnect between officials and players? In rugby you hear an ex-front rower talk about all the gamesmanship that goes on in the scrum and ruck and points out where the players have been able to fool the ref. Do officials in football have enough of an understanding about what an attacker would want and what a defender would do?
4. Are fans so concerned with winning that they will still ask for Rashford's autograph next week?
Decent thought provoking post.
Points 1 and 2, it is a case of evolution. Not that long ago, we would all be up in arms (usually on European cup nights) over blatant diving but soon realised if British teams want to compete at the highest levels then a lot more "kidology" was required.
Most of the pundits given air time these days are the "new" breed and unfortunately, this kidology
(aka cheating) is part and parcel of the modern game.
Point 3 I believe that refs do know what a striker is trying to do but it is seen (and i don't have a problem with it) as a skill to coax the defender into making a rash challenge.
Nothing new here I might add, it's just that the modern day striker has 'nurtured the skill.
I do think though that if he is caught diving, credit should be given to the defender for his part.

If proven that the striker was simulating then retrospective action should be taken, a ban of some sort.

The authorities will be reluctant to approve this however, they still need some "grey areas" for the BIG teams to succeed but hopefully the new "non-corrupt" FIFA and EUAFA will force this through.