Manchester United

Law 12: Indirect free kicks.�

So let's summarise.� You just state an opinion without any evidence. I use the LOTG as evidence to prove you are wrong.� You ignore evidence.

Err diving isn't part of the game because it�results in a free kick.� Just like bobsleding someone.� They are against the laws of the game, therefore you are punished.

So doing something that gets a freekick and caution is " not against the laws of the game".

If you could find the section in which the LOTG state that a player may not dive, you would have quoted it by now. Just as with goal scoring, and the ball leaving the field, the Laws explain how play is restarted after such a thing occurs.

Compare with:

A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery)

This isn't exactly rocket science.

Yeah, diving per se is not illegal in that I can do a swan dive, ala Klinsmann, when I celebrate a goal but deceiving the ref is illegal, in how FIFA want the game to be interpreted, but due to the nature of the game a lot of laws require the ref's, and his assistants, discretion.

I would suppose you can try and make the area more black and white by allowing associations/governing bodies to suspend a player retroactively with the help of video evidence but even then it will come down to the discretion of associations/governing bodies (was there contact, was there intent to deceive...).

Yeah, diving per se is not illegal in that I can do a swan dive, ala Klinsmann, when I celebrate a goal but deceiving the ref is illegal, in how FIFA want the game to be interpreted, but due to the nature of the game a lot of laws require the ref's, and his assistants, discretion.

I would suppose you can try and make the area more black and white by allowing associations/governing bodies to suspend a player retroactively with the help of video evidence but even then it will come down to the discretion of associations/governing bodies (was there contact, was there intent to deceive...).

I would say the standard is already set, in how the LOTG should be interpreted, however the ability to discern whether deception has taken place will be raised hopefully to the point where the risk of being caught for deceiving a ref is greater than it is now so that players rather not take that risk.

Conversely I could imagine ref's might not police or look out for these instances in a game relying on post game analysis applying the law, thus maybe missing acts of deception in crucial games where players might accept that the rewards outweigh the risks.

[QUOTE=Stripes]I should add: do you advocate a like measure for dealing with professional fouls? The Laws of the Game treat both in almost the same breath.

Interesting piece by Gary Nevillehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2126567/Gary-Neville-Andy-Carrolls-dive-laugh--zero-tolerance-wont-ground.html

More from Garry Neville on this - couldn't agree with more.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xq65vw_gary-neville-tells-it-like-it-is-on-diving_sport?from_fb_popup=1&code=AQBcoT1wvV8hHvpxDhAU050dZqg6kc50F9DdSmehFnm6Ga3YXbL4tZtWjWp7DUZ-vlUTd11CWW3qrFsSO_XjKNU9z14SBZGbo_h2rIkbrj_FYuF-vvrSruxVm14jZClCH8r_tgBlZ9VEnAk0_SEnWPNL5yiANqaQj4ldeL32LLrnoYT85jGoy57uE9nMsCE-bE0#_=_

Thats because they have never played the game and have no idea.

Diving is not considered illegal only if you play for United?

Is that what you are suggesting? Well to be honest you are quite correct.

United have been awarded (And scored)from tow obvious 'dives'. Anyone else would not have. Must be a new FA or Fifa law that protects united from such offences eh?

Diving is not considered illegal only if you play for United?

Is that what you are suggesting? Well to be honest you are quite correct.

United have been awarded (And scored)from tow obvious 'dives'. Anyone else would not have. Must be a new FA or Fifa law that protects united from such offences eh?

Playing the game is irrelevant. Pele is one of the best players of all time, yet whenever he talks about football these days he makes himself look completely stupid. Same with Platini.

What a load of crap.

What a load of crap.

I suggest you read some of the drivel Pele has come out with over the years then

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/07/1963293/top-10-wrong-pele-predictions

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/07/1963293/top-10-wrong-pele-predictions

Lads - we better listen to Leggy. He is a former AW so must know what he is talking about.� Just like Billy Harris and Sam Malcolmson.

I like the idea of Fabio going out on loan. The rumours are Fabio (loan), Bebe, Macheda, and 20-odd million�to Benfica for Nicholas Gaitan.

Concerned on a couple of fronts: if Fabio is to be loaned I'd prefer to see him at somewhere like Norwich or Swansea (ie EPL); not playing in the Portugese 1st division, as the reason for loaning him out is surely to learn more about playing in the EPL. Playing him in Portugal hints at a different long term strategy; ie sell to La Liga or Serie A club.

Also, where is our cover at left back for Evra - Raphael?

Surely Evans, Smalling, Jones are medium term replacements for Vidic and Rio; but none of those 3 look to be left back cover; and only just right back cover (but I'm not yet convinced against true trickery and pace).

Then there is Gaitan himself. Not sure he has the pedigree to hit the ground running as a goal scoring midfielder and he is too old to be considered a 'development' opportunity. I'd prefer to see on-going development of Cleverley, Anderson, Pogba and us going for a heavy hitter.

I can understand your comment re the cover for the fullback comment, but the fact is that he has had a few injuries and has not been playing. It does not really matter if he is playing in the EPL or somewhere else, as long as he is playing 1st team football every week.Portugal is as good as anywhere and that is his native language will be a plus.