Tainted victory? You decide…

Inspired by the David N’Gog/diving debate. Hypocritical bandwagoning or much-deserved attack on cheating w*nkers? Rock t’vote.

Fanni does something funny

Here is the French right-back Rod Fanni, who in a vain attempt to take attention away from his surname, throws himself to the ground in a ludicrous manner.

Jack Warner suggests tough measures for World Cup cheats

After deciding that UEFA’s technique of banning players and subsequently letting them off the hook was not an effective method of deterring diving, FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has suggested a rugby-style ’sin bin’ is a distinct possibility for the 2010 World Cup:

“[Often] a guy fakes an injury, and he acts as if it’s the end of the world, and then after you give him the foul he then flies up and kicks the ball.

“That guy should be sent off, and he should be sent off for five minutes.”

A five-minute sin bin would certainly be a strong deterrent for players thinking of hitting the deck, particularly if it was coupled with a yellow card (thus preventing the prospect of multiple sin bin visits from a single player). However, without the assistance of video replays to prove simulation, temporary incarceration could put even more pressure on referees who may be accused of incorrectly using their powers.

So, are you pro-sin bin, or is this just more unwanted tampering from football’s governing body? Let us know below…

The governing body’s U-turn could encourage more simulation 

Following an appeal by Arsenal, UEFA have back-tracked on their controversial Eduardo ruling, deciding there was not enough evidence to prove simulation. The Arsenal forward - who has insisted he felt contact from extraordinarily aggressive Celtic keeper Artur Boruc on his left foot and “lost balance” - is now free to face Standard Liege in the Champions league tomorrow night.

Some have argued that UEFA caved in because of the far-reaching implications of the ban: Professor Wenger would have lovingly compiled evidence of every single other perceived dive in European competitions, and would have called for similar bans for the rest of eternity. A dangerous precedent for a crime that isn’t always clear cut.

UEFA’s attempt to contain the situation, however, may actually have had the opposite effect. Not only have they undermined their own authority by favouring Arsenal’s appeal, but they have effectively given professional players carte blanche to throw themselves around without concern for punishment. The Telegraph’s Henry Winter makes a point to this effect on Twitter:

Starting tonight, players know they can dive because refs will be too scared to punish them following UEFA’s crazy U-turn on Eduardo.

Where UEFA right to turn over the ban, or have they, as we suspect, opened a big ol’ can of worms. Let us know your thoughts below…

Methinks the Rooney doth protest too much…

“Yeah, I dive - but only on holiday.

“I’ve never intentionally dived. There have been times when I’ve tried to stay on my feet rather than go down. Everyone who watches me play knows I’m an honest player.”

Spurs boss tackles the issue of simulation

We usually like the cut of Harry Redknapp’s jib, but his latest column in The Sun makes the following point concerning the oft-debated Eduardo dive:

“Only Eduardo knows if he dived against Celtic last week.”

As much as we admire Harry’s attempt to save the graces of a fellow professional (albeit one form a rival club), it’s just not true. Arsene Wenger knows whether he dived, UEFA know whether he dived, and absolutely everyone who has seen the incident also knows whether Eduardo dived.

Despite the fact that the entire crux of the article is a campaign to introduce video replay technology, the Tottenham boss also asserts that diving isn’t as big a problem as the media are currently making it out to be:

“I believe diving is rare. I also believe no player ever takes to the pitch with instructions from his manager to dive if it makes the difference between winning or losing.”

Is Harry right, or is there a startling sense of naivety to his words? Let us know your thoughts below…

Croat-Brazilian has outraged Scotland with his naughty play acting

Since the days of watching David Ginola throw himself around the pitch as if he only possessed limited command of his limbs, The Spoiler has held a disgust diving, and those who think they can get away with it.

Hence, we weren’t overly pleased last night to see Eduardo’s successful attempt at cheating Arsenal into a lead; something that changed a game in which Celtic were enjoying a reasonable amount of possession and control.

It seems that Celtic were equally displeased, with Massimo Donati calling for a two match ban following the simulation antics. SFA head honcho Gordon Smith has also waded into the argument, suggesting the Arsenal star should be punished:

‘[…] Last night [Eduardo] showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic.

‘Since I came into this post, I have raised the issue of simulation time and time again - both here in Scotland and with FIFA and UEFA.

‘I don’t think that I have received enough support in my efforts to eradicate what I believe to be one of the most serious threats to the integrity of football. Last night showed exactly why we must take this issue seriously.

The SFA have set a precedent for banning players for play acting in the case of former Hearts forward Saulius Mikoliunas, who missed two matches after he feigned being headbutted by an Aberdeen player in May.

So, should Eduardo be punished, or should we accept that diving is part of the modern game? Votes below, please…

The players who go down quicker than Danielle Lloyd at a Manchester Utd Christmas party

Morten Gamst Pedersen - who we hear has taken his phone off the hook and barricaded himself into his house in an attempt to stop the ridicule - threw his hat into the ring for worst dive of the century against Arsenal on Saturday. But who has been responsible for the most unsporting pratfalls in football history? The Spoiler’s Richard Gilzene considers the top ten divers in the history of the beautiful game…

Didier Drogba
Jose Mourinho aside, Jens Lehmann’s is the most galling departure from the Premiership in recent years, if only for the massive entertainment void he left behind. Pitted against another big character in Didier Drogba during his acrobatic pomp, it made sense the pair would team up midway through a tense London derby clash in the 06/07 season, to resurrect the spirit of a 1920s slapstick vaudeville act.