SoccerBible Debate - Should we applaud cheats like N'Gog? - 11/11/09
Monday night's dive by David N'Gog to win a Liverpool penalty has once again raised the issue of diving and cheating in football. But with the practice so commonplace, is it time to accept diving as part of the game and applaud cheats like N'Gog?
Footballers diving has been a controversial issue for decades, surrounding some of the great players such as Jurgen Klinsmann, Rivaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo. And whilst some footballing cultures seem to embrace the dive, others believe it to be the act of a cheat.
Some football fans view diving as cheating that should be punishable after the game as you would for violent conduct, because cheating is not part of the sport and brings down footballs reputation. However, some fans will argue that players need to dive to avoid an injury, or just accept that it is part of the sport and that being able to pull off a convincing dive is an important skill - if the referee doesn't spot it, they have mastered the skill!
Here are a couple of arguments for and against, to help you form an opinion on diving in football...
JOHN FOOT (author of 'Calcio: a History of Italian Football') - "Different cultures have different sporting histories and see the game differently. In Italy simulation or furbizia is another string to your bow. It is not seen as wrong in itself. In the UK this is reversed. Fair play, however defined, is seen as part of the game, and sometimes more important than winning."
RORY SMITH (The Telegraph) - "Just accept it. It s part of the game. Not only that, but simulation in its purest form is a skill, and as with any skill, those who practice it well should be applauded. Or at least grudgingly admired. That is the approach they take in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, and frankly it makes sense."
LEE CARSLEY (Birmingham City midfielder) - "It s a joke. I knew I didn t touch him and I said to the referee to book me or send me off, it would have made me feel better. I m sure he [Ngog] has got a family, well if I went home having done that, I d be embarrassed. You re supposed to be teaching your kids an example and that is just an embarrassing case of cheating"
JEREMY (Debatewise website) - "Diving is bringing down the whole reputation of football. Trying to trick and deceive the referee is cheating and too often it goes unpunished. At present, players can be suspended and fined for violent conduct even if the referee does not see the incident at the time. This should also be the case for diving."
THE SOCCERBIBLE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR OPINION! IS IT TIME TO EMBRACE DIVING AS PART OF THE MODERN DAY GAME, OR DO WE NEED TO PUNISH THE DIVERS AS CHEATS?
