Hi guys
Wanted to raise a debate that we've had before, but with a specific point of reference.
That point of reference is Suarez.
Let me say from the start, this isn't a pop at Liverpool. I'm well aware that other players are guilty of this behaviour, though as some of you know, I do feel Suarez is one of the worst for this type of 'cheating'.
Here's the incident:
https://vine.co/v/M1EKLvVOmB0
When we've discussed this in the past, many of you have said that Suarez has cut out diving from his game.
I don't think out and out diving - that being with no contact - is particularly rife in Suarez' game.
However, I regard incidents like the one featured above as blatant cheating/diving.
It is clear to all and sundry that he faked injury to try and make the referee believe the tackle was worse than it was.
Was there contact? Yes
Was it a foul? Debatable?
Was it a dive / cheating? Of course there was.
So, two questions...
Do you now understand my point about players that cheat, whilst it not necessarily involving zero contact?
Is there a way of eradicating this from the game, or do you not think it's a problem? Could an independent panel act on this type of incident with common sense, after the game?
My personal opinion is that we couldn't have any complaints if Suarez was punished for this incident, with a panel reviewing it and deciding he's cheated.
Yes, this approach will mean that subjectivity is involved. But I think there'd be more decisions that most of us agree that the right decision has been made, and that it's better than not being able to do anything.
When is a dive a dive?
posted on 24/4/14
I must confess though, I find it unfathomable that someone can claim it cannot be a dive if someone has been touched.
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It depends on the touch, of course, but as a rule of thumb, it’s pretty much the definition used by pundits, players, ex-players, and referees. You even said so yourself, as you think that’s the reason Janujaz and Bale have been booked more for it.
You’re tilting at windmills. Pundits seem to conclude a hell of a lot that Suarez was fouled, and he hasn’t been booked for diving for about 18 months. It may not be the way you want the game interpreted, but it’s the way it is interpreted (and I’ve explained the reasons why),so in the final analysis, that’s not really anything to do with Suarez.
posted on 24/4/14
Winston, I posted the same clip off youtube this morning because it's that much easier to review. All you have to do is click back after the man goes in.
I see what you mean when you say he was trying to wrap his leg around it, but he gets it totally wrong and by the time he's gone in his leg is fully outstreched and in a position he cannot possibly retrieve. There's even a hint that he might actually attempt to do so, but the fact he's unable to illustrates the player not being in control of his body.
Either way, what we are now dicussing is the recklessness of the foul, not whether it's a foul or not, which is something you started off by saying could be debatable.
posted on 24/4/14
Wessie Road (U10652)
I disagree.
Suarez is one of a number of players who go overboard in exaggerating contact and in effect conning the referees.
In many cases, this - in my view - causes the referee to give a foul where it wasn't one, or a booking where they wouldn't have done.
If you think the original example is a bad one then fine, let's scrap that.
It doesn't make the overall point misplaced, and just because it's becoming the norm doesn't mean I shouldn't discuss how we deal with it. If anything, that's exactly why we should be discussing it.
posted on 24/4/14
itsonlyagame - red cards are unfair (U6426)
I've said all along I'd call it as a foul, but think some people wouldn't.
I'll see if I can watch that YouTube clip this evening and see if changes my view on the severity.
Am shooting off now, so have a nice evening all.
posted on 24/4/14
Likewise.
posted on 25/4/14
Comment Deleted by Article Creator
posted on 27/4/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/4/14
Don't agree that Welbeck dived.
Little puzzled by your point, or are you just being a bit silly?
We know players from both of our teams dive. It's not a revelation.
posted on 13/5/14
Why was RAP not deleted?
posted on 13/5/14
I felt, although it became a little fractious at points, that it was a generally reasonable discussion.