EPL Regulations vs. Rest of Europe

[gollan]

I think that a lot of the diving/cheating hype comes from the fact that the referees in the EPL do not whistle on things otherwise considered as fouls in other leagues, or to that matter, things that are clearly fouls under FIFA's regulations. This leads to a more flowing game, with not too many stops and fouls called. This also leads to the notion that when people who watch a lot of EPL suddenly watch other football they say: "Hey that's not a foul".

My view towards this is:

a. It is nicer to watch a smoother game. The EPL's pace, which is why people say it's a lot better, is actually achieved due to this factor - not because the players run more, it's because fould are not called. I don't have an opinion about that thing - just mentioning a fact.

b. Matches can turn ugly very easily in the EPL: it is very common for matches to become ugly in the EPL, too violent for me. After doing Full Contact fighting for 8 years I know my stuff there. Football shouldn't be the same, but sadly some EPL matches turn into somewhat of a Bushido tournament.

c. Theatrics are crap. Pro divers (just see Liam's new thread) should be shot. On the other hand, you can't blame a player who's been fouled constantly and ref can't see it, to try and help the ref by not really making an effort to stay on his feet when fouled. I mean - there a fouls that are very clear and blatant, and the player just goes down. There are fouls where the player WAS indeed fouled, lost the ball, and lost his balance. Now he can try to recover his balance or say "what the fuck I've just been fouled so I might as well go down". It's not diving - it's not making the effort to recover your balance.

d. Now we get to diving. It's like what Deco and Xavi did. Also like what Rooney did. In this category you can start looking at what we call pro divers. People who either go down when there was absolutley no contact, or people that help themselves go down in order to get a peno.

e. My conlcusion is that the EPL, due to the regulations not enforced, treats the players who are in section "C" above as players who should have the honor to be classified in section "D".

Your comments please.

[Nturtle]

I would say all players should follow Henry's lead. He doesn't dive and even called his own hand-ball vs. Bayern the other day!! You just don't get more professional than that really.

The EPL, if so lenient, should really look at the 4th/5th ref and do the video refereeing - since blatant fould should always be called, and divers can then be caught easier!

[LiamK]

All divers are scum. They just vary in the degree of scum. Vieira, Xavi, Deco, Pires are absolute scum.

I think the answer to the diving thats slowly destroying the game is so simple.

Post match video evidence.

If divers had to convince not only the referee, but a 3 panel committee at FA headquarters, who have access to loads of videos from plenty of different angles about the incident and the authority to suspend players, then divers would think twice about hitting the deck.

[Yossi]

Excellent idea. That would stop them. But I like games with few fouls because it lets the game flow. Stop/start games are more difficult to get into and boring. Fouls should not be called when a player is able to keep his balance and just falls, even if there is contact. Fouls should not be called for players touching the goalkeeper either. Maybe a proper shove, but not just standing there going for the ball. It's a man's game.

[Teekay]

Notice that the best players like Henry, Ronaldinho, Shevchenko and Zidane rarely dive. Maybe they rely onh their abilities instead of thrying to cheat.

[Yossi]

Good point.

[gollan]

Originally Posted by LiamK

All divers are scum. They just vary in the degree of scum. Vieira, Xavi, Deco, Pires are absolute scum.

I think the answer to the diving thats slowly destroying the game is so simple.

Post match video evidence.

If divers had to convince not only the referee, but a 3 panel committee at FA headquarters, who have access to loads of videos from plenty of different angles about the incident and the authority to suspend players, then divers would think twice about hitting the deck.

Yeah. Maybe they'll submit affidavits in writing and provide evidence under the Evidence Ordinanace as well in order to prove their innocence. What the hell, why have a 3-pronged panel, have them tried before a proper jury.
NOT a good idea, IMO.

Some things happen in a match, diving is one of them. Having post match analysis, generally, is not a very good thing in my opinion. It can create an opening for many bad, bad ideas. On the other hand, reffing should be stricter. For divers and for fouls. I think that catching divers is not such a hard thing, but refs usually give them the "that was nothing, get up" sign instead of showing them the yellow card. There are enough times when the ref sees that it was nothing and lets the diver get away with it.
Maybe even change the regulations that if someone was caught diving/cheating in order to get a peno they'll see the red card.

[Figо10]

Originally Posted by gollan

Maybe even change the regulations that if someone was caught diving/cheating in order to get a peno they'll see the red card.

That would be too strict.

Now players go diving every 10 minutes and the ref just waves play on. Seldom their a booking for diving. It makes sense though if you are thinking as the defender: Since if the defender makes an illegal challenger in the box he'll get a red, so any player making an illegal dive in the box should get the same punishment.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by -Teekay-

Notice that the best players like Henry, Ronaldinho, Shevchenko and Zidane rarely dive. Maybe they rely onh their abilities instead of thrying to cheat.

A good point indeed, only the absolute worldclass players dont dive. Henry should be honored, but i am sure he's not the only one. Deco and Xavi are class, they dont need to dive. After a few dives referee's dont believe you anymore when you really get hurt.