RE: Why doesn't FIFA punish diving in football more?
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But my brother you also know that punishments for diving already exist in the game, its just that usually some players are so good at it. Exactly! That’s the thing — the rules are there, simulation is technically punishable, but enforcement is the real issue. Some players have mastered the art of making it look legit, like they’re auditioning for an Oscar mid-match. And unless VAR catches something clear, it’s often left to the ref’s interpretation in real-time, which is so tricky. But the punishments are already there, like forexample Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) In December 2022, Neymar was sent off in a Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg after receiving two yellow cards: one for a foul and another for diving in the penalty area. The referee deemed his attempt to win a penalty as simulation. And other multiple examples you can search and see more.
The real question is ”Do you think there’s a way to actually improve the enforcement?” Like more post-match reviews or stricter punishments? Or would that just lead to more controversy?
As for punishing diving, it’s long overdue. Retrospective bans, fines, or even in-game tech-assisted reviews could clean that up quick. But yeah, enforcement would be the mess. Fans already cry foul when VAR goes against their team; imagine the chaos if their star player gets banned post-match for simulation. With FIFA’s reputation, it’d be hard to trust that kind of system wouldn’t be twisted or selectively applied.
So my brother do you think stricter tech and accountability would actually clean things up, or would it just shift the shady tactics somewhere else?
I don't think the live game should be changed at all unless it is the case of a PK being awarded that would change the outcome of a game.
I am entirely referring to reviews of the dives after play is complete. I do not wish to disrupt the flow of the game. I think if retroactive punishments were handed out more frequently the Oscar winning divers would be very selective about when they are going to do it, instead of just doing it all the time.
True, but I think VAR is already doing that too, anyway that’s a really solid take. The idea of keeping the flow of the game intact while addressing simulation after the fact makes a lot of sense. VAR also shifts the accountability off the refs a bit. They’re expected to make split-second calls, and diving makes that so much harder. But if maybe there’s a review panel or some kind of post-match disciplinary system that consistently cracks down on it, it reinforces fair play without bogging down the game. I think may be after game reviews and giving retroactive punishments after game may scare players from continuously avoiding even to attempt to dive since there are very harsh punishments to follow through, if got.
Through your take is solid 👍🏼
thanks for your really in-depth replies buddy. It is really nice and refreshing to have a meaningful conversation about these kinds of things.
Thanks too, hey, that really means a lot—thank you soo much!!! I’ve really enjoyed our conversations too. It’s rare to find someone who wants to go deep into things, so I appreciate it.