Luis Suarez

[joeluke]

Fantastic player


........but also a fantastic play actor

Needs to cut that out of his game

[Philtaz]

He is the epitome of the South American footballer. The way he screamed in anguish when he wasn't tackled or even touched in the Merseyside derby made me cringe.
He did the same in the game last Sat against Man U. It's his attitude and ethos for the game that leaves me pretty much disinterested in footy lately.
They are the same traits shown by the player who fell to the ground clutching his face when lightly shoved by the Fulham player (resulting in a sending off) on Thu night. It was an embarrassment, as the studio pundits rightly said.

Until FIFA stamp this ridiculous play acting out of the game my interest will wane further.

Just my two penorth worth.

[joeluke]

Very well put Philtaz, maybe more yellow cards for play acting would help cut it out?

[Philtaz]

The Premier League and referee's (with the backing of FIFA) need to review this sort of behaviour and inform the player that if found guilty of play acting in order to get a penalty or another fellow professional sent off that thye will be suspended for a minimum of 3 games. It'd soon put a stop to it.

Fines to Premiership footballers are a token gesture. Tell their club that they're not allowed to play for 3 games and the acting and diving will soon cease.

[joeluke]

The problem Suarez will encounter is that referees will become wise and think twice every time he goes to ground and he will not get some free-kicks/penalties where there is actually a genuine foul

Same as what was happening to Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd

[Philtaz]

Simple answer: Bring in technology. EVERY major sport in the world uses it for replays, difficult decisions, ambiguity etc. All except football.

It would take the 4th official seconds (you know, the same amount of time it takes for half the team to surround the referee and remonstrate with him) to make a decision on such incidents. The argument that it would slow the game simply won't wash, it actually adds to the excitement and tension in cricket, rugby, tennis etc.

[bibblebub]

golf doesn't use technology

[joeluke]

Bibblebub......golf doesn't need technology

It's either in the hole or it isn't

[bibblebub]

it was just a response to "EVERY major sport in the world uses it..."

[Philtaz]

As bibblebub appears intent on splitting hairs, I'll rise to the bait......

I disagree entirely. In my opinion golf DOES use technology, by use of the TV coverage itself. Due to its sedate pace (in comparison to other major sports) the TV cameras ensure that players can't cheat, particularly when it comes to finding lost balls, dropping them and marking them etc.
The penalties for cheating in golf are severe, hence it is an extremely rare occurence. Golf is probably the only game where players are trusted to record their own correct score and have it verified by their opponent.
Yes, the need for technology is very minimal, but it does come into play on very rare occasions where a possible infringement has been spotted (usually by a member of the gallery!) Have a read of the examples in the link then tell me golf doesn't use technology:

http://www.google.co....7c6b&biw=1440&bih=780



Have to disagree Steve.5, most modern sports are no slower or faster than football when throw ins, corners, free kicks and injuries are taken into consideration. As I've said, by the time the players have finished arguing with the ref the contentious decision they were squabbling over could hve already been reviewed and ruled on by the 4th official.

[Duncer]

I'd like to tak up a few points here.

Philatz - as regards the surrounding of referees, this is something I utterly deplore and FIFA need to grow a pair and tackle it aggressively, starting with yellow cards to the captain, and then to every player who refuses to retreat thereafter. It started as a specialty of Man United but most "big" clubs do it these days to try and influence the referee and put him under psychological pressure.

Joe Luke - agree totally about Suarez, and many more but, as pointed out, their future unavailabilty is the only really effective deterrent. If clubs have guys on £100, 000 a week sitting idly in the stands because of their play-acting, (cheating), then they will start to look at thing differently. Again, the governing body needs to sprout a pair, but they are in thrall to the big clubs and ther power of the Premier League. It is because of this sort of nonsense that I now attend grass roots football.

Golf as a major sport - sorry, and I know this will annoy many, but I'm with Mark Twain on this one.