We conducted a poll on Twitter last week and the question that we put to our followers was ‘Should a player be dropped for a game or games and fined by a club for diving?’
The responses were immediate and pretty damning suggesting that something needs to be done about players that clearly attempt to con the referee and with it, fellow professionals. The fact is that it is cheating and the sooner there is action, whether it is retrospective or during a game, the better.
It has started to plague our domestic game in recent years and the answer to combat it is anyones guess. But the powers that be must be more strict about those commiting such an act. Steve Parish tweeted that is Chamakh was deemed to have dived then he would be fined. Since then Holloway told a press conference that he gave Chamakh the hair dryer treatment and was not fined.
Perhaps we could forgive this approach seeing as he career at Palace is in it’s infancy but his response to Holloway was more than interesting.
If I was at Arsenal, that would have been a penalty – Chamakh’s response to Holloway on his dive against Southampton
Does this comment suggest that it is a bigger problem in that players at bigger clubs know that the decision will go their way more often than not? Does this make it right? No, it does not. It is still cheating whatever club you play for. And the feeling is that following the comments from those at Palace on the antics of Ashley Young, action should have been taken against Chamakh.
Here are the best of the responses so thanks to all of you that we have featured;
Yes yes, yes. Leaves a bad taste. Not the
#cpfc way. And hypocritical after KG’s trauma recently (@ljbrameld)Was calling for Young to be banned for 6 games. As for Chamakh, does he really think he was tripped???? He needs to sit a game out then. Give Gayle his chance to shine! (@andy_lucey)
Based on that Ashley Young would be unemployable and skint ! But yes they should. And now we have gouging. Is the PL sponsored by WWF? (@pengemypenge)
Club should take strict action everytime. It’s cheating. I’m more concerned the Chamakh thought diving was the better option! I agree. IF we are going to go down, we need to go down fighting not cheating. Disappointed (@pro5w)
Catch 22. Don’t want diving, annoyed by Chamakh, but want best players on pitch. Would you want all clubs to buy into it ? Would you want us to drop our player for diving but opp next game do not do the same? I agree it needs to be addressed (@JohnVince20)
I think if a player is found guilty retrospectively they should get the equivalent ban of the supposed “offence” by the DF. Like, if you dive trying to get the last man sent off, that’s a three game yeah? That’d stop it in a flash (@TheSwanseaWay)
