Perth Glory’s Todd Howarth wins the ball against Melbourne Heart’s Michael Marrone, during the round 4 match of the A-League season, played at AAMI stadium in Melbourne, Sunday Aug. 29, 2010. Perth Glory drew with Melbourne Heart 2-2. (AAP Image/Joe Castro).
Kudos to Football Federation Australia! For all the criticism leveled at the governing body – justified or not – they showed great courage in acting on diving and imposing two-game bans on Patricio Perez and Michael Baird, via the Match Review Panel. But they need to be aggressive in enforcing this precedent and in other areas off the field.
The bans are an important statement to players that Section 9.23 of the FFA’s A-League Disciplinary Regulations – “Obvious Error – Simulation Citations” – will be enforced with a suspension of two matches for a player guilty of simulation which has been missed by the referee and where a penalty kick was awarded.
In the strictest application of that regulation, the FFA Match Review Panel was justified in handing out the two-game suspensions, particularly considering the dives deprived Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart of full points and the public backlash that followed.
As Mike Tuckerman wrote yesterday, diving/simulation hurts the code’s mainstream appeal in this country and needs to be stamped out of the game if the A-League is to reach a wider audience and be embraced.
In that sense the regulation is essential, and there is no doubt that two-match bans will act as a deterrent. It’s the only way to get the message across to players.
But the problem now is applying that regulation consistently.
For example, there are those who maintain Perez’s ban is unjust because there appeared to be (according to them) slight contact with Liam Reddy, as opposed to Michael Baird’s dive.
And herein lies the problem. There are many shades of grey when it comes to diving and winning a penalty, and the FFA must strike the right balance between giving the players the benefit of the doubt and strictly apply the regulation.
Perhaps there needs to be two tiers to the rule: one that enforces a one-match ban in cases where there was slight (or the possibility of) contact and the player has exaggerated that contact (Perez), and the current two-match ban for players who clearly dive with no contact (Baird).
This clarification could at least give the regulation some leeway.
But the FFA should be applauded in this case for responding to the outrage of fans and acting so convincingly.
If only they were as forthright in other matters.
The other major talking point to emerge from the weekend was Gold Coast United’s paltry 3,624-crowd under the unpopular crowd cap.
In an interview with The World Game, A-League boss Lyall Gorman backed Gold Coast United’s policy, expressing faith that the club will turn around its dismal crowds.
But the FFA needs to appreciate that the situation on the Gold Coast has reached (if not exceeded) a state of emergency.
The crowds won’t be coming back to Skilled until the cap is lifted. While some of us appreciate it as a financial decision that makes sense, saving approximately $60,000 per home match, the Gold Coast fans seemingly can’t resonate with this considering their owner is one of the richest men in Australia.
Unfair or not, the question marks around United and the ability to sustain a franchise on the Gold Coast mask the real issue, which is the damage the club has done to its own profile that may never be repaired.
Continuing as is with a new burst of marketing and community based activities won’t cause much a ripple in the region for a club which has seemingly lost the faith and support of its community.
The FFA needs to be aggressive in working with the club on winning the locals back, with the Melbourne Storm’s example of offering $1 tickets to its final home game of the season as a way of repaying fans’ loyalties a possible template for what should be down (taking the short-term financial hit for long-term benefits).
Only initiatives of such magnitude can save the club now.
(Regarding initiatives to bring in new fans, kudos to the Melbourne Heart for this intelligent offer.)
As we enjoy what has been without question the most open A-League season with a clear rise in the technical level of football being played, let’s not lose sight of the off-field issues.
Adelaide United and North Queensland Fury remain on the FFA’s books; there have been reports that the Newcastle Jets are behind on player payments; Gold Coast United is reaching the point of no return; and crowds (dare I say it without a backlash) remain low (10,000 in Sydney isn’t good enough).
The forthrightness with which the FFA has handled simulation, in the regulation and its application, needs to be coupled with a forthrightness in other areas.
As the World Cup bid effort winds down it’s time there was a genuine attempt to address issues around the A-League’s growth.
Lily Eva
Guest
What is that regulation consistency. Can you explain?
DiCanio
Guest
Agree but then I am refering to specifically the aleague rather then WCs or other leagues. In that respect we do need better refs but we also need better communication between referees and players and more respect shown to referees. Obviously you have to approach it from both ends, from a player behaviour pov and also a refeering standard, but the first step is to elimate the mindset that deceiving the referee in any form is somehow part of the game. It's fair enough if other leagues want to allow those theatrics but it doesn't do our league any good. If the aleague can competently enforce restrospective penalties for deception, simulation etc etc sooner rather then later we will see less poor onfield behaviour. Then obviously if the refs want that respect they need to earn it by communicating better with the players and being less attention seeking in their decisions and interpretations. FWIW Breeze may be a useless lump when it comes to officiating but the lad on debute did a decent enough job for heart v perth until Baird deliberately deceived him.
Dan Walder
Guest
Judging diving should be left to the Olympics, as Australian soccer is enough of a laughing stock as it is without pursuing this fool's errand. The perception of what constitutes a dive is entirely subjective. What is a dive? When is a touch a trip, a nudge a barge? Is diving actually excusable? With A-league refs blind to foul play by Perth's hatchet men, why not exaggerate the contact? Italians say Grosso had no option but to dive when Neill impeded him in 2006. We just need better refs!
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Apart from shirt pulling i can't recall a plaer getting awarded a free kick while still standing. and to be honest I can't see refs giving a penalty if your still standing even if you were fouled... I can't see how they fix it. I like the cut of DiCanio's gib though as I am sick of people talking about "contact".... It wasn't the "contact" that brought him to ground or stopped him from scoring ... he grounded himself so it's a dive.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
"but I will say that many Australian soccer fans will have far higher expectations than what the FFA can deliver sans the WC." I found the doomsday scenario of the a leagues all over if we don't get the world cup sillly and boring. The above is interesting though becuase it's what I feel is most likely. Gold Coast $ wise would probably be ok playing at Runaway Bay or wherever but that's not very glamerous.
Mister Football
Guest
I wish you were right, but it's complicated. I think back to the WC: Puyol rugby tackles Robben, but he keeps his feet and gets nothing out of it - at the other end, that eternal diver, Iniesta goes to ground at the slightest touch, and the Dutch defender is red carded. I remember a few years back when Joel Griffiths tried to pull Panta down as he went for a run down the left wing, almost piggy backing him, eventually Panta said: stuff this, and gave Griffiths one across the chops (and let's be honest, there is no one more deserving than Joel to cop one over the chops), with the result that Panta got red carded - he quite simply should have just fallen over and earned the free kick. The fact is there is far more incentive to go to ground than keep your feet - I have trouble seeing how that can ever be changed.
DiCanio
Guest
Who brought Baird to the ground? Baird did = simulation Who brought Perez to the ground? Perez did = simulation Stay on your feet, play the ball, even if you are fouled. Let the referee call the game, stop trying to deceive them and WIN a penalty and instead focus on WINNING the game. That his how it should be played in this country. Even if someone clips you or touches you or grabs you. Show respect to the referee and he will respect you back with the right calls (mostly). Cast doubt in their minds and try to deceive them and look where we end up, anaylising screen grabs and pixels.
DiCanio
Guest
This is not a criminal case on SVU, this is a sports judiciary. The only person who brought Perez down was himself. sure there may not be footage of daylight between reddy and the argentinian, but nor is there footage to lend legitimacy to his claims. The footage does show a grown man twisting in mid air and going limp without realistic provacation. That is all that is required.
DiCanio
Guest
Talk of natural justice quickly becoming the latest buzzword. If true then were is the natural justice for Heart and Sydney?
DiCanio
Guest
Once you start sourcing Kalac all arguements become null an void. Simulation is an important issue in this country, it flies in the face the cultural ethos. Neither perez or Baird were brought down by another player, they brought themselves down. Anyone looing for pixels in the frames needs to take their tinfoil hat off and get on with it. They weren't the first to dive, but here's hoping they are the last.
Midfielder
Guest
The Mariners are on the verge of taking this case to court .. FFA need to be very careful they get things right.... Article from smh today.. http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/perez-decision-smacks-of-a-kneejerk-reaction-20100831-14fmi.html
Midfielder
Guest
Breeze got the call right ...
jimbo
Roar Guru
Now all we need is Breeze to get a 2 week suspension . . .
Gobouten
Guest
Sorry Midfielder, there is no touch there. He dived. It sucks for you guys and he's not the only to have done it, but he dived. Hopefully when he comes back from this suspension he will let his skills do the talking without resorting to unessecary theatrics. Hopefully all other players in the league will do the same.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
do NRL commentators cane the A-League? I have never come across that - ever. I don't think it's a hanging offence that the AFL barely acknowledges someone else's existence.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I was thinking the same thing yesterday without the new video footage (and put up a few posts to that effect) - I was honestly surprised by Perez getting the same treatment as Baird - it's obviously all about sending a message.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
fussball there is a significant milestone that hasn't been met - that all clubs would be in break even positions after five seasons - with two years to go on the current TV rights - that represents a key milestone that has not been met - and without a successful WC bid - that could be crucial. I'm not saying the A-League will fold - you are correct that the vast majority of the world's sporting comps barely eke out an existence (and in any event, profitability is a secondary consideration) - but I will say that many Australian soccer fans will have far higher expectations than what the FFA can deliver sans the WC.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
AndyRoo fair enough re Holman - sorry to implicate you! :) But you have to admit - it was pretty widespread! You are the first person I have ever read about Pim getting it right for games 2 and 3 - I agree with you - overwhelmingly, everyone ones to dump him in the Arnie category (in itself, already made to be far too negative than it need be).
Midfielder
Guest
New evidence says OK Reddy touched him... Was there touch = Yes Did player make the most of the touch = Yes Was it a dive = No How can FFA, make this call like its the rule of the mob... have a look... http://i.haymarket.net.au/News/20100831121923_perez-reddy.gif
Neutral Fan
Guest
Betty b The refereeing this year for the NRL has being an mixed bag throughout the season it's being inconsistent and some bad calls too. It's best for the refs to be consistent in all there rulings every season an high tackle one week cannot be passed off as a legal tackle the next. I expect over the coming weeks for the HAL refs to be proactive towards any attempt at simulation with yellow card i prefer red to get the message that diving is not welcome in the A-league.