With goals galore and a welcome emphasis on attacking football, the current World Cup is one of the most exciting international tournaments in decades. Alas, the some of the world's elite players are spoiling the spectacle with their insidious cheating, and serial offender Arjen Robben is the latest cheat to escape punishment.
In the aftermath of Holland's controversial second-round victory over Mexico, Robben admitted that he cheated during the game. He noted:
"The one at the end was a penalty, I was fouled. In the first half I took a dive and I really shouldn't do that. That was a stupid, stupid thing to do but sometimes you're expecting to be struck and then they pull their leg away at the last minute."
In my view, £17m-rated Robben also dived to win the penalty (which basically cheated Mexico out of the World Cup), but he's hardly going to admit that, is he?
How can Robben be trusted to tell the truth? If he admits to cheating earlier in the game, that arguably raises the probability that he cheated to win the penalty.
Robben's inexcusably lame argument is that his earlier dive 'had no influence on the game', but that doesn't change the fact that he perpetrated a premeditated act of cheating in a deliberate attempt to con the referee.
It's the intent that matters here; Robben intended to cheat, and any responsible governing body that's serious about stamping out cheating would've seized upon that admission and taken action.
Robben will happily admit to a dive that had no consequences for Mexico, though, as he knows that FIFA's laissez-faire rules preclude the possibility of retrospective punishment.
Indeed, FIFA confirmed this in a laughable statement on the issue, wherein it confirmed that the disciplinary committee will only look retrospectively at 'serious infringements' of fair play rules.
How can diving not be a 'serious infringement' of fair play rules? 'Simulation' (FIFA's pitiful euphemism for 'cheating') is a brazen attempt to deceive the referee, and negatively influence the game. It surely doesn't get more 'serious' than that?
Why can't FIFA, at the very least, issue Robben with a retrospective yellow-card? He admitted to a yellow-card offence, so punish him for it.
Robben even had the chutzpah to complain about the negative reaction to his admission. Last night, he mewled:
“It’s a shame because, yesterday, in an interview after the game I was very honest. Maybe sometimes you are punished for honesty. But I prefer to be honest"
Are you f***ing kidding me? The arrogance of footballers is truly astounding. Robben DELIBERATELY CHEATED, and being 'honest' about it afterwards is neither laudable nor admirable. Furthermore, he seems to be suggesting that he deserves credit for admitting that he's a cheat, which is as offensive as it is stupid.
It's easy to ban Luis Suarez for biting - and he fully deserved it - but until FIFA start getting to grips with diving (including the insidious 'anticipatory dive'), cheats like Robben will continue to ruin the game.
Author: Jaimie K
In the aftermath of Holland's controversial second-round victory over Mexico, Robben admitted that he cheated during the game. He noted:
"The one at the end was a penalty, I was fouled. In the first half I took a dive and I really shouldn't do that. That was a stupid, stupid thing to do but sometimes you're expecting to be struck and then they pull their leg away at the last minute."
In my view, £17m-rated Robben also dived to win the penalty (which basically cheated Mexico out of the World Cup), but he's hardly going to admit that, is he?
How can Robben be trusted to tell the truth? If he admits to cheating earlier in the game, that arguably raises the probability that he cheated to win the penalty.
Robben's inexcusably lame argument is that his earlier dive 'had no influence on the game', but that doesn't change the fact that he perpetrated a premeditated act of cheating in a deliberate attempt to con the referee.
It's the intent that matters here; Robben intended to cheat, and any responsible governing body that's serious about stamping out cheating would've seized upon that admission and taken action.
Robben will happily admit to a dive that had no consequences for Mexico, though, as he knows that FIFA's laissez-faire rules preclude the possibility of retrospective punishment.
Indeed, FIFA confirmed this in a laughable statement on the issue, wherein it confirmed that the disciplinary committee will only look retrospectively at 'serious infringements' of fair play rules.
How can diving not be a 'serious infringement' of fair play rules? 'Simulation' (FIFA's pitiful euphemism for 'cheating') is a brazen attempt to deceive the referee, and negatively influence the game. It surely doesn't get more 'serious' than that?
Why can't FIFA, at the very least, issue Robben with a retrospective yellow-card? He admitted to a yellow-card offence, so punish him for it.
Robben even had the chutzpah to complain about the negative reaction to his admission. Last night, he mewled:
“It’s a shame because, yesterday, in an interview after the game I was very honest. Maybe sometimes you are punished for honesty. But I prefer to be honest"
Are you f***ing kidding me? The arrogance of footballers is truly astounding. Robben DELIBERATELY CHEATED, and being 'honest' about it afterwards is neither laudable nor admirable. Furthermore, he seems to be suggesting that he deserves credit for admitting that he's a cheat, which is as offensive as it is stupid.
It's easy to ban Luis Suarez for biting - and he fully deserved it - but until FIFA start getting to grips with diving (including the insidious 'anticipatory dive'), cheats like Robben will continue to ruin the game.
Author: Jaimie K
A cheat is a better role model than one who bites. lol.
ReplyDeleteWell if FIFA should ban people who admit to cheating then that's Suarez banned too. Remember his comments from a few years back admitting to diving to win penalties. He claimed that it was acceptable practice in South America.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think its absolute rubbish that "The Diving Dutchman" didnt get fined/suspended for simulation but in all honesty he couldn't have admitted it at better time when everyones focus is on the Suarez bite incident. At the end of the day it comes down to fair play and both times Robben went down in the box were full blown simulation. If FIFA had any sense, they'd make a point out of this by at least suspending Robben for a match to show the player(s) their governing body wont stand for simulation. But we all know how FIFA has their double standards so what can you do...
ReplyDeleteI disagree the penalty was a dive. Robben was tripped and he was already on his way to the floor when he sold it a bit on the way down to ensure it was seen. He can't be faulted for that and it is obvious to me in the replay. So questioning Robben's truthfulness in a post-match interview is a waste of time regarding the awarded PK. As to the earlier dive, there was no effect...as opposed to the actual trip in the box and 'no call' earlier. That did have an effect because Robben was not awarded a PK when one was deserved.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of fouls in the box that ref's don't call because of there being no goal scoring opportunity to warrant a PK so the calls are a bit subjective anyway. It all evened out in the end and the better team won.
sure you've all seen it before, but this just cracks me up.
ReplyDeleteJamie I was waiting for you to write this article and it did not disappoint. I was sick when I read FIFA (Futile inept Footballing Agency) comments on the the Robben ban.
ReplyDeleteThey said it so causally as well. What they said basically condoned and encouraged players to dive, they know that all they will get is a yellow card if they care "caught". This also gives honest players a subconscious influence to dive as they know that everyone else is doing and they don't get punished.
It's ridiculous. The media had an absolute field day with the whole biting issue and yet bare anyone is reporting on the Robben admittance.
The thing is, if it was Dos Santos who dived to win it for Mexico the coach would not be saying anything. The only reason he even said anything was because he was directly affected.
Like I said before, Footballing bodies should be able to enforce yellow cards after games when players have dived in the game.
If a player is then caught diving by the referee or assistant they should be yellow carded and given a 15 min time our during the match.
If a player keeps offending then they should get fines and bans. If he persists then points deduction to the team should send the message.
FIFA is an absolute joke, corrupt and inept to withholding their "high standards".
Pshhh give me a break.
I suggest all diver, cheater, etc will ban for life ??? Or Jailed them??? or execute immediately???
ReplyDeleteHehehe of coz im kidding...I think bring in Video Replay Tech will solve all the problem. Agree?
I see your point mate, I do, but Robben admitted to cheating. If could have very easily been a penalty, he has dived several times before to get a pen. This time he did not pull it off.
ReplyDeleteNot so much in the effect side of things, but about the integrity of the game.
He said he dived in the first half to win a free kick, but the penalty had nothing to do with diving and he should have had two more penalties.
ReplyDeleteStrange comparison. Maybe you could have highlighted the Matuidi tackle...
Off topic:
ReplyDeleteI really hope we will sell Suarez for the money we want. He is such a lowlife as a person. What followed after the biting incident is one big F*** You towards LFC.
Against video replay tech as that would slow the game down, lead to TV ads, and essentially make the game similar to American football. I wouldn't mind more retrospective punishment for offenders. Serial offenders, I agree, should be executed.
ReplyDeleteLike I said the Refs frequently make 'no-calls' for fouls in the box if they don't think the foul affected a goal-scoring opportunity...so the integrity of the game is already under pressure by the very man who's supposed to be policing the integrity of the game.
ReplyDeleteI think if the ref perceived a dive, he should have carded Robben...but he didn't see it that way so in such a subjective part of the game it borders on the pointless to single out one particular call as an eternal badge of shame for a player.
I just don't get it, why people brand Suarez a cheat for his handball on the line, which is foul play (he got punished with a red card and the opposition was awarded a penalty and rightly so) and not cheating ( simulating physical harm due a tackle, diving to win penalties thus maybe even resulting in red cards), but are so hesitant to blame and slate others who aren't behaving any better than him.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I am condoning Suarez, because I am not and he's nobody else to blame than himself for his perception, but the world really likes to slate him in contrast to other footballers ...
Nothing we didn't know already as Liverpool fans ...
Brendan's not feeling himself now that he have some money ?
ReplyDeletehe's not ready to play for liverpool yet. i've seen his matches with belgium (i'm a belgian) at this world cup and even though he's good technically and got pace but he's too inexperienced at this level.
We should put that money in for a fullback instead and promote Ibe or Yesil/Dunn or having give a chance to Borini upfront if we want a young winger/striker.
My thoughts exactly. How can we expect to purge football of cheating when they governing body is made up of corrupt individuals who are as inept at making consistent decisions as the FA are.
ReplyDeleteHavent we all been watching the Fifa commercials during this world cup? "Let's all work to rid match manipulation" and in the same breath the spokeswoman says "[the dive] was not a serious infringement".
Hypocrisy at it's finest....take a bow Fifa
I think it's a reflection of how diving is actually viewed in modern football i.e. while it's undesirable it's not a particularly big issue or something that needs to be ruthlessly stamped out. It seems to generally be accepted that players will dive and this is somehow "OK". Nothing else can really explain how it's handled.
ReplyDeleteI'll repeat my existing explanation which is that refs won't award penalties unless a player goes to ground. You can kick and trip and do basically whatever you like and if the player keeps his feet the penalty just won't get called. That gives players little choice but to allow themselves to easily go to ground and it's a short step from that to active diving. If refs were braver and more willing to award penalties then maybe diving would decrease.
I don't get why he needs to be banned, just because he admitted it. What players have to say after the game is irrelevant- they don't need a player's word to make their own judgement. The fact he admitted to a dive doesn't make his dive any different from all the others they fail to punish players for.
ReplyDeleteI cannot think of another player who has behaved quite like Suarez
ReplyDeleteI am surprised that anyone thinks he has been harshly treated
Apparently biting isn't as big a deal to player's either since Chiellini stated the ban was too harsh and implied he thought a simple red card would have sufficed.
ReplyDeletehe need to get banned because he commit an act that go against fairplay, you know... what Suarez was banned for.
ReplyDeleteHe is Sick
ReplyDeleteHe's not like any one else he's Origi-nal
ReplyDeleteLet's hope he wraps up warm and get's himself better soon.
ReplyDeleteThat's not my point. Why ban him, just because he admitted it? Why do FIFA need the perpetrator's word to make a judgement?
ReplyDeleteHere's the problem with the common perspective on the Suarez handball. People like you think that the onus and all the pressure should have been on Ghana to score that penalty. The point is, it should never have been allowed to reach that point in the first place. It wasn't fair for all the onus to go on Ghana, because if Suarez hadn't cheated, it would have been a goal. Yes, cheating does include breaking the rules to gain an advantage.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet there is a very strong contingent of modern footballers and commentators who agree that, given the opportunity, they would have done the same. I would suggest that those who think what Suarez did against Ghana was abhorrent are actually in the minority.
ReplyDeleteI know, but that's irrelevant to what I'm talking about. You're basically just saying that a lot of people admit that they would cheat in the same situation.
ReplyDeleteShould Kevin Mirallas have been banned for blatantly trying to end Suarez's career last season?
ReplyDeleteEspecially as it relates to the diving and moreso the biting, he hasn't been treated harshly.
ReplyDeleteThe only argument that someone could conceivably make that he was treated harshly was the Evra incident and that's simply because they could compare it directly to John Terry who received half the ban for the essentially the same action. And to make it worse, Terry was banned AFTER Suarez so there was already a precedent for the FA, which they ignored.
If a defender is beat and has to sprint back to prevent a one on one with the goalkeeper and pulls down the attacker in the process (thereby receiving a red card), is that considered cheating in your book?
ReplyDeleteI feel like most footballers would do it if they felt they had to, no?
I wouldn't say he is a low life, but certainly a liability footballing wise, although a brilliant player.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to stamp out diving us to make it a straight red if the ref sees it and retrospective action if he doesn't
ReplyDeleteIn the mean time, Ricardo Rodriguez is excellent. He impresses me more every time I see him. He's gotta be worth a bid, especially if we're gonna be flush from selling Suarez. Argentina are just a squad of talented individuals. No cohesion as a team
ReplyDeleteI'm still not sure that would be fair because the reason you get these instances where players dive even when it is a foul is because the referees tend to unfairly punish players for staying on their feet. It should be that if a player is sufficiently impeded, even if he manages to stay on his feet, a foul is given, but refs tend to give nothing if players don't go down. That is poor refereeing.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I have a slight, if not sympathy then understanding, of instances where players exaggerate this kind of thing.
It's tough. Even in my own description above I've included the phrase 'sufficiently impeded' which is very vague. How can you judge what makes an impediment 'sufficient'? There is still a lot of subjectivity in such a judgement.
As for your question on how to resolve the issue, I think the simple answer is better officiating but then question that follows that is much more complicated: how can we get better officiating?
People often advocate video replays, which would improve accuracy for sure, but I worry about how they could be implemented effectively without disrupting the flow of games. A challenge system, like in tennis, is often suggested but then imagine the moaning if someone ran out of challenges or failed to challenge a clearly incorrect decision and then it had to stand. It'd probably create an even bigger furore.
Isn't it though? Arm placement is a little awkward and needs work, but overall he is quite talented.
ReplyDeleteso... adam lallana. i hear the fee was 23 million. still a bit pricey but what do you expect. anyways all the best adam. YNWA
ReplyDeleteThe thing with evra incident is when evra said what Suarez said, Suarez admitted saying it, but has diff meaning in his country, said his own grandfather was black too. He still denies he was being racist towards evra and evra admitted that he didn't think Suarez was racist, yet he still got punished. Explain that to me. The modern thing is to make a big example of people who are front page news, doesn't matter if there are 10 times worse out there if it wont make good headlines.
ReplyDeleteThe end for Suarez at LFC is near!!!
ReplyDeleteGuillem Balague @GuillemBalague · 39m
Negotiations between clubs have started (in Spanish) RT @mundodeportivo Barça y Liverpool ya negocian por Luis Suárez
Please remember to bring back Alexis Sanchez!!!
?!
ReplyDeleteIt surprises me when people complain FIFA not taking the morale High ground.. Hello, this is FIFA we are talking about, an organisation famous for taking back handers, corruption, having some of the corrupt people on the planet working for them.
ReplyDeleteYou honestly expect these people to ban somebody for cheating lol. Do me a favour
hope that 39m stands for 39 minutes [ago] and not 39 million ;-)
ReplyDeleteHe may bite, but he's worth more than that...
I don't know about BR, but I always feel myself when I have some money.
ReplyDeleteThat shouldn't have made me laugh so hard, but it did...
ReplyDeleteIt is ery worrying if we are after the Argentine Midfielder ROJO - bloody rubbish - keep connor coady instead
ReplyDeleteBeat player in the World Cup was the CHILE right back - brilliant
ReplyDeleteWe should try for their coach - CHILE WERE MAGNIFICENT
ReplyDeletejust the paper talk. Don't get excited
ReplyDeleteI've found your point of view on this kind of thing rare. It is pretty much the same as my own.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't categorically rule out video technology but I am definitely weary of it. I was even weary about the introduction of goal line technology because I thought it might be a case of opening Pandora's box but as of now it hasn't led to anything more extreme and has worked well.
More officials is something I've advocated myself. I always thought the officials behind the goal were a good idea but they just never seemed to do anything. The referee's assistants need to be more empowered. I remember hearing talk of a ref per half and I think that could be good in theory but then when you consider differing refereeing styles then you could get schizophrenic officiating. In theory the rules should be enforced in a linear fashion but it isn't so in practice. Perhaps lessening the load on refs would help in this regard.
I haven't the answer, I'm afraid.
Slippery slope - not only will it slow the game down, add commercial breaks, intensity will wane - players will have added pressure that they're under the microscope.
ReplyDeleteIf the linesman had properly called offside there's no handball, no penalty - but that's old news.
ReplyDeleteProbably - but you don't need video review to see bleeding stud marks on the knee - just common sense.
ReplyDeleteDid you not read what I previously said? It doesn't matter whether the majority would do it or not. That's a really stupid question. Of course it's cheating! It's deliberately breaking the rules to gain an unfair advantage. And yet you think it's okay just because you believe most others would do it. But it's irrelevant! If the majority of people in this world murder, does that mean it's not murder anymore?
ReplyDeleteYou're also acting like punishment for the cheater subsequently cancels out the fact it's cheating. No, it doesn't. Tell me what's worse: conceding a goal, or a red card? Goals win you games, not red cards.
if it's 39 million then maybe it's a hint at who's coming in!
ReplyDeleteNo.
ReplyDeleteAt minimum he should get a retrospective yellow. You can't just say "I simulated" in front of the eyes of all the children in the world and get away with it. But at least he acknowledged it (if he denied it, that would make him a crooked liar), said it was a stupid thing to do - and to add a little bit of positive spin on it, while a little late in the tournament, it might add a bit more focus on simulation, make the refs a bit more mindful of this - there has not been a single card given out for simulation in the whole tournament. It's too bad Fred, Neymar, and Hulkinho aren't asked about diving too.
ReplyDeleteIt's part of the game - as long as you are not injuring the player - fine. It's a lifeline to keep you in, and you only have so many. It is still within the rules, as the rules have consequences for those actions.
ReplyDeleteYou will figure it out eventually.
ReplyDeleteUltimately players should have the biggest say - it's their game, where they perform their craft. We're spectators - it's easy to say "though shall not do this and that" from our living rooms - but if the "victim" says the punishment is too harsh - maybe we should have a listen.
ReplyDeleteLooked great today against the U.S. Honestly looks a lot like Stirrings: pace, great with the ball at his feet and at his current age not the final product in terms of his finishing. A very quality signing for the near future.
ReplyDeleteBest Defender of the PREMIER LEAGUE era, so he has to prove himself in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE to be the best defender in a PREMIER LEAGUE era? How stupid does that sound?
ReplyDeleteApologies, I missed the part where Suarez wasn't in the box for Uruguays goal as an extra man to mark... Or wasn't there afterwards to hold up play and almost score another goal...
ReplyDeleteThis site is hilarious, you block people for coming on and having an opinion to cause a bit of debate just because it doesn't confer with you bias views, sort your heads out admins!
ReplyDeleteAPOLOGIES, You seemed to make up the part where I claimed that Suarez being on the pitch didn't affect the game.
ReplyDeleteAll I claimed was that his action didn't lead directly or indirectly to a goal being scored.
Did it affect the game? Sure.
But to imply that an extra man incorrectly being on the field is the same as being awarded a penalty is far fetched.
I'm missing your point obviously, you are claiming robben deserves more of a ban for diving (even though there was contact so not really diving) than Suarez does for biting...
ReplyDeleteSuarez, Balotelli, Rooney, Sturridge, Ronaldo all would of done the exact same as robben no question, none of them would have tried to eat Chiellini though. I can't understand your train of thought to think that something that is done week in week out all over the world (and I despise any player who does it) is more punishable than what is a serious arrestable offence that he is a repeat offender of!
Ok, I'll try to be more clear:
ReplyDelete1. I agree with FIFA's stance on Suarez's biting. It's harsh, but I can't fault them for taking the stance. Obviously wish it didn't affect the club, but we made our bed with the player who's done it before and did again, and now we're lying in it. They've taken a measure that essentially says that if a player bites another player, the biter will pay the penalty.
2. FIFA should want to also get rid of diving. It's bad for the game, and it can directly lead to the result of the game being altered because a penalty can be so powerful.
3. If FIFA wants to get rid of diving, they can really set an example of someone like Robben who (arguably) dived to win the deciding penalty and who (inarguably) admitted to diving earlier in the game.
Take anyone who clearly dives and punish them retrospectively if needed. But until FIFA takes a strong stance on diving (similar to what they did on biting) players will continue to dive.