Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe FIFA will launch a campaign to remove diving from football.
Old Trafford boss thinks FIFA will continue to ignore problems
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe FIFA will launch a campaign to remove diving from football.
The Manchester United boss has admitted he
"had a word" with Ashley Young earlier this week after a couple of incidents over the past fortnight that led to the England winger receiving widespread condemnation.
It was suggested at the time action should be brought against players guilty of diving, with many people feeling it has gone too far.
The sight of Chelsea's match-winner, Didier Drogba, writhing around at regular stages of his side's otherwise superb UEFA Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday just added more fuel to the debate.
However, Ferguson believes it is a pointless argument.
Legendary Brazilian Rivaldo was once fined £5,180 by FIFA for blatantly getting Turkey's Hakan Usal sent off during the 2002 World Cup by simulating that the ball had hit him in the face when in fact his opponent had kicked it against his leg.
Punished
But there have been other woeful examples, most recently Kader Keita's theatrical fall after running into Kaka that got the Brazilian superstar sent off at the last World Cup that have never attracted the world governing body's attention.
"The only one case I can remember of a player being retrospectively punished, was Rivaldo," said Ferguson. "I can't remember another player ever being punished for acting.
"It doesn't lie with the clubs, it is FIFA and UEFA. But there are a load of things we ask them for, including goal-line technology, and nothing's ever done.
"It doesn't bother me one way or the other, because I don't think it will happen."
The problem will not get better until players start to get penalties and free-kicks despite attempting to remain on their feet.
Ferguson cites the example of Ryan Giggs' paltry record of gaining just five penalties as proof of referees' reluctance to reward such behaviour.
"Ryan Giggs has been here for 20 years and got five penalties. Do you know why? Because his balance is so good," said Ferguson.
