Australia’s A-League will use post-match video evidence to suspend players who dive.
A week away from the start of the A-League season, officials said they would crack down on those players who are caught “in the act of simulation” to win penalties or have opponents cautioned or sent off.
Players guilty of diving are to be suspended for up to two weeks.
Australia’s rugby codes and Australian Rules commonly use post-match video reviews to cite players for foul play, but the major soccer leagues of Europe have shied away from using such technology.
“Everyone — fans, players and media — believe that simulation is unacceptable and I am sure this change will be appreciated by the whole football community,” Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said in a statement.
If a player is sent off as a result of an opponent’s simulation, he would be able to have his red card rescinded.
“The chance of being banned for two games is a pretty strong message,” A-League chief Archie Fraser told the Sydney Morning Herald. “If you’re prepared to take the risk, you’re probably going to miss a decent chunk of the season.”
Former Sydney coach John Kosmina supported the change, but wasn’t sure how effective it would be.
“This will influence player behavior, but I’m not so sure it will change it,” Kosmina told the Herald. “The fact is simulation has been around for ages, players have been milking penalties forever, and some of them have turned it into an art form, but it’s something nobody wants in the game, so if this makes the players think twice, then I’m all for it.”
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