A sparkling round of A-League action this weekend was marred by the issue of “simulation”, which raised its ugly head in two games to ultimately influence the result of both. Let’s call it what it is; cheating.
It must be galling for Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart, who have yet to register a win between them this season.
Sydney goalkeeper Liam Reddy should feel especially hard done by, having received a red card for his “foul” on Central Coast Mariners Argentinian midfielder Patricio Perez, who rubbed salt into the FC wounds by converting the resulting penalty himself. The game at the Sydney Football Stadium finished 1-1.
At AAMI Park, Melbourne Heart were seconds from a first-ever A-League victory when Perth Glory’s Michael Baird felt the draught created by the movement of Heart defender Kliment Taseski and it caused him to fall in a heap.
Robbie Fowler converted the spot kick and a great game finished in a 2-2 draw. Simon Colosimo made his feelings known very succinctly in the post-match interview on Fox Sports.
There has to be a starting point to stamp out the business of what Roy and HG might call “penalty-pulling.”
Every challenge in the area should be watched by a match review committee. If a player is found to have taken a dive in the box, and the referee falls for it, the player gets suspended for two games as a first offence.
Any cards handed out to the defending team are immediately rescinded. This should only be for decisions in the box – it would make the game hopelessly over-analysed if every foul on the pitch was scrutinised after the event.
This might just stop not only the players performing the act, but it might just stop coaches encouraging them to do so. It is probably no shock to many, but a lot of coaches will tell players to “fall down” if they feel the slightest contact, especially if the player concerned looks over-matched physically.
But let’s make a clarification here. There is an art-form to inviting a foul, and a clever and skillful player will put themselves in a position where they outfox a defender and coax them into an ill-advised challenge.
Players like Michael Owen and Carlos Tevez have such an ability. Defenders get unnerved by their pace and movement and are often forced into a desperate lunge.
Clearly, that wasn’t the case with Baird and Perez. In the Perez case, it’s a shame because his debut has been much-anticipated, and apart from the penalty, he looked like a player set to make a positive impact on the A-League this season.
Diving is often cited as the major reason why casual fans don’t become football converts. On the balance of the action this weekend, there is much to admire about the current A-League season. It’s just that two of the most decisive moments were not too admirable at all, to casuals or converts alike.
General Ashnak
Guest
The FFA have chosen to look at only two incidents. The MRP is meant to look at every penalty given or red card received, why is this the first time they have done so this season?
mahony
Guest
"simulation" is a category of offences which includes diving. Semantics are not the issue. The FFA is enforcing its rule now. I hope they keep it up....
Bung
Guest
The ref had already made the call before Baird appealed so he's the one in the wrong. And if perez got suspended terra should have been too. They both did the exact same thing. Getting tapped and acting like you were shot is still diving
apaway
Guest
Wow. Probably the best move the A-League have made, and I may be wrong, but I can't think of an example such as this occurring anywhere else. Well done to Simon Micaleff and the review panel.
DERBY COUNTY FC
Guest
Well, the match review panel didn't agree with you, Baird and Perez both got a two game ban and Reddy's red was rescinded.
sydboz
Guest
Perez was a penalty, Reddy took him out and to be fair to baird the melbourne heart defender lunged at him, he missed or might have clipped baird, he stumbled, tripped over the back leg of the heart defender and went to ground. What I didn't like was him asking for a penalty but other than that in my opinion. It was a 50/50 decision and not a true and utter dive, there was some contact involved and I think the referees got both decisions pretty much right. I don't know why perez is getting accused of a dive, that's just rubbish all together.
General Ashnak
Guest
Perez was fouled, there is definate contact between hand and foot, keeper was last defender and so got red carded. Perez did exagerate to full effect, in exactly the same manner as Kevin Muscat last week - Baird on the other hand was a total dive and the match review panel must act against him.
apaway
Guest
Brisbane Bhoy, I wrote in the article that fouls in the box could be a "starting point." These are the ones that have the most direct influence on match results. You could then extend the review to include any challenge resulting in a caution, anywhere on the park.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
Baird dive was just that - A DIVE! I can see him having the next couple of weeks off once the FFA takes a look. As for Perez, I believe there was contact made (slight, but still contact neither-the-less) and hence he had every right to hit the ground. The only harsh part of the call was the red card to Reddy, as it was yellow at best. As for the following statement - "Every challenge in the area should be watched by a match review committee. If a player is found to have taken a dive in the box, and the referee falls for it, the player gets suspended for two games as a first offence." Why only those in the box, why not look at every single challenge, no matter where it is on the field?
Stormin Red
Guest
I am sick of the league using the old, "it is up to FIFA to look into" excuse. We have the technology already to look at diving and suspend players, even if it is after the game. We shouldn't just wait around for Blatter to take the lead because it will never happen. Just do it already. It is the same for goal line technology but that is a different argument.
whatever
Guest
Baird was a F***ing disgrace, should have a 2 week hoiliday. all divers should be put on notice if you dive your out.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
The Baird dive was so pathetic, I"m not even sure you can call it a dive!! Someone ought to show him the Klinsmann and Voeller dives that won West Germany the WC in 1990 - now they were dives!!