SEPP BLATTER HAS called on referees to use the full extent of their powers to punish players guilty of simulation.
Diving in the Premier League particularly has come into the spotlight in recent days, with Jose Mourinho backing referee Martin Atkinson’s decision to book Oscar in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Southampton, just days after accusing Luis Suarez of simulation in his side’s win over Liverpool.
The incident was the latest in a string of cases of simulation in the English top flight this season, which has seen 13 bookings being dished out for the offence, including three for Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj.
And Blatter feels the guilty parties are setting a bad example for aspiring footballers.
“Cutting out this kind of cheating is a matter of respect towards opponents and fans, and ultimately one of self-respect as a professional and role model,” he wrote in his FIFA Weekly column.
“The longest breaks in the game nowadays are almost exclusively the result of dives, simulation and play-acting to feign injury.
“This kind of thing is treated with scorn in other sporting disciplines but it has become a normal and accepted part of football nowadays. Even though simulation is incredibly unfair and looks preposterous when viewed in a replay, some people regard it as smart or in the worst case as a harmless misdemeanour.
“I find this deeply irritating, especially when the (supposedly) half-dead player comes back to life as soon as they have left the pitch.”
Blatter has placed responsibility for policing the problem in the hands of officials, who he believes have the necessary powers to sufficiently punish players.
“The ball is in the referees’ court,” he continued. “The instructions are now clear on this matter: if a player is lying on the floor, the opposing team are not required to put the ball into touch.
“The referee should only intervene if he believes a serious injury has occurred.”
Celtic are just not clinical enough at this level. It’s an issue domestically also but they can get away with it.
The amount of chances they are creating and only having two goals to show for it are criminal.
There wasn’t much between the sides for large parts of the game but Leipzig took their chances well.
@Ciarán Rice: While I agree with you on the clinical edge side, I think it’s hard to say there wasn’t much between the sides tonight. Jota, Kyogo, and Hatate had their odd half moments.. maybe Taylor too. Likes of Nkunku and Szoboszlai tore it up tho and Simakan, who isn’t even a natural right-full, ran Celtic ragged up their left flank which was justified by his assist. Most of Celtic’s chances just fell to them when RB were sloppy coming out from the back and the press worked well.
Wasn’t up for RB either, would have happily enjoyed Celtic winning had they done so. Record away to German opposition is poor tho so I kinda knew what to expect… 14 without a win in EC/UCL history. Game in Parkhead will be interesting tho!
@Ultan Corcoran: the first half there was nothing between the sides. The stats point to that also. Pretty much 50/50 in possession and think Celtic slightly edged the amount of chances in the first.
The second half however, was poor from Celtic when McGregor went off injured. It was 1-1 at that point and still fairly balanced. Once he was subbed Celtic completely gave up the midfield.
Think you’re dismissing Celtics pressing stating that it was poor play from Leipzig at the back. Celtic deliberately forced Leipzig into the those errors. That’s the game they play. Leipzig, of course, did similar to Celtic.
By ‘dented’ you mean ‘over’?
@David Lawlor:
Why would you think they are over? Two winnable games to come at home. RM will be already through.
Not over yet as two home wins would really set it up travelling to Madrid who would already be qualified presumably, wishful thinking but could 7pts qualify them maybe, just maybe
@Noel Doherty: it’s over. They haven’t a chance of qualifying.
@Stephen Foster: I think you’ll find they still have a chance of going through. To say they have no chance proves how thick you really are.
Uphill battle from here on , it could have been a bit different if Celtic had a finisher in the team , Carter vickers was a loss also .
@Tricksy: completely agree. Losing our two centre backs it was always going to be difficult but the game was evenly matched. Then McGregor went off injured and Celtic completely lost the midfield.
As much as Kyogo is a brilliant player, he’s not a top class finisher. Giakoumakis is a brilliant finisher but isn’t as good a player as Kyogo and doesn’t really suit the system. Major issues up front.