Getting tough on simulation

UEFA is set to take tougher measures to deal with the growing problem of simulation by players.

Strong action
The European football body's disciplinary authorities are determined to take strong action to deter players from deliberately attempting to gain an advantage by deceiving the referee – an issue which has increased in profile over the years.

Gross unsporting conduct
UEFA is prepared to crack down on what it considers as the intentional cheating of referees and opponents, by suspending 'simulators' for gross unsporting conduct if evidence such as TV video footage shows that a player has intentionally duped a referee by, for example, diving in the opposition penalty area.

Important message
"It is important that UEFA sends a message on simulation out to players," said UEFA's disciplinary services manager Peter Limacher. "They must know that if they are going to cheat, they will face disciplinary proceedings. If TV or other evidence comes to light, we will take action against simulation by instigating proceedings with a formal charge of gross unsporting conduct, and the matter will be submitted to the Control and Disciplinary Body."

High-pace game
Simulation has become increasingly sophisticated and the high pace of the European élite game and the "skill" of players often means that a referee can be deceived into thinking that a foul has been committed.

Law 12
Law 12 of the Laws of the Game states that any act of simulation should be punished by a yellow card, which is considered as a decision based on fact in disciplinary terms. However, UEFA is empowered to take the matter further - and act when the referee has not seen an incident which may be of a grossly unsporting nature.

Serious offence
"We can act in incidents where the referee has been cheated," said Limacher. "I see the legal argument as follows. If the referee has seen the simulation and punishes it with a caution, this can only be deemed as an attempt at simulation. However, if a player, by committing an act of blatant simulation, succeeded in cheating the referee and opponents – and, for example, the opposing player is dismissed or a penalty is given, then this offence is much larger and more serious than the one covered by the Laws of the Game.

Possible punishment
"UEFA is able to act by itself, it can make use of video evidence with slow-motion replays, and if there is a blatant case to be answered of cheating through simulation, the Control and Disciplinary Body is ready to instigate proceedings, with the possibility of the player being punished either with suspension or a fine."

German example
Limacher quoted an example already set by Germany in this respect. "There have been two recent cases judged by the DFB (German Football Association) in which players have been suspended for simulation," he explained. "There is a new situation now regarding this issue."

Referee support
If they do take future action against blatant simulation, UEFA's disciplinary instances will have the support of the refereeing sector, which is concerned by instances of match officials being caught out in this way.

Further debate
Another question "open for discussion" is whether players who are the victims of simulation – such as defenders dismissed as a result of it – could be acquitted in future. Limacher said: "Under the current disciplinary rules, we [UEFA] can come back on cautions on the basis of a protest only in cases where the referee's error involved mistaken identity of the players concerned." In any case, the message is increasingly clear that cheats must not prosper.