Diving: Cheating or Street Smarts?

Trying to save the ball isn’t cheating (even if it’s over the line) it’s part of the game.

Pretending to be fouled is cheating.

Massive difference

I don't know what you guys are googling, but the top result in mine was an interesting little article in the Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/jun/29/cheating-football-germany-goalkeeper

The last paragraph:

"Neuer missed a rare opportunity to do something noble in front of millions of people. He could have set a positive ethical example to people watching all over the world, including the many millions who are young and impressionable. Who knows what difference that example might have made to the lives of many of those watching. Neuer could have been a hero, standing up for what is right. Instead he is just another very skillful, cheating footballer."

If anything Neuer was playing to the whistle. Could very much have been a natural reaction.

comment by Geechi (U21931)
posted 2 hours, 47 minutes ago
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 5 minutes ago
Can it not be both?
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If you get away with it, then yes. But if you pull a Neymar, then no. I just hate the self-rightous, sanctimonious a-holes who demonize players who pull a fast one on daft ref. I say blame the ref for not doing his job. Look at this way: If were a starving homeless man & I walked into a supermarket, stole a loaf of bread & got away with it, who is to blame? Me or the security personnel?
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The Tories, obviously.

Cheating.

comment by Geechi (U21931)
posted 58 minutes ago
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 24 seconds ago
Cheating, nothing to discuss.
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So If Lineker (instead of Maradona) scored the hand of God goal & England went on to win the WC, would you celebrate the victory or would you not want to be associated with cheats?
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I honestly would call a cheat a cheat and be against it. Would I still celebrate the win of a world cup? Of course.

Would I (in that scenario) prefer VAR to have called Lineker up and carded him then let real football decide the game? Of course.

comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Geechi (U21931)
posted 58 minutes ago
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 24 seconds ago
Cheating, nothing to discuss.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So If Lineker (instead of Maradona) scored the hand of God goal & England went on to win the WC, would you celebrate the victory or would you not want to be associated with cheats?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I honestly would call a cheat a cheat and be against it. Would I still celebrate the win of a world cup? Of course.

Would I (in that scenario) prefer VAR to have called Lineker up and carded him then let real football decide the game? Of course.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair play. That's the sort of honesty I respect. I think I'd do the same to be quite honest.

comment by Geechi (U21931)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Geechi (U21931)
posted 58 minutes ago
comment by Scruttocks (U19684)
posted 24 seconds ago
Cheating, nothing to discuss.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So If Lineker (instead of Maradona) scored the hand of God goal & England went on to win the WC, would you celebrate the victory or would you not want to be associated with cheats?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I honestly would call a cheat a cheat and be against it. Would I still celebrate the win of a world cup? Of course.

Would I (in that scenario) prefer VAR to have called Lineker up and carded him then let real football decide the game? Of course.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair play. That's the sort of honesty I respect. I think I'd do the same to be quite honest.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The issue is that if people are good enough at cheating and it becomes a case of cheat or finish second to a cheater what are you gonna do?

I just really hope VAR sees an end to it all, or as close as can be. I'm also sick of seeing players stay down faking and rolling around even if they have been fouled but not actually hurt. If you're rolling around for a minute (for example) then you should have to go off for 2 minutes while the game continues as you'll be needing some medical attention

A lot of the diving thing has its roots in referees failing to penalise fouls, or failing to notice an actual foul.

I, like most I imagine, have some sympathy there, but it's still no better really, it is still very much cheating. - and generally looks far more ridiculous.

That said, there's no sympathy when it's some clown actively diving when a defender is 3 feet away. Obviously.

If you get away with it - Street Smarts

If you get caught - Cheating