Pulis - Cheating is a disease

The Potters manager has urged the Football Association to take action against those players who feel it is okay to try and con the match officials.

He says diving and the feigning of injury is now an all too common sight, making life all the more difficult for referees and their assistants.

Pulis feels these traits have been adopted from leagues such as the Spanish Primera Liga, with certain divisions in Europe prepared to accept such behaviour.

He believes it is up to the authorities in England to try and stamp out this trend before it becomes too late.

Pressure

"I cannot stand the sight of players rolling around. It really goes against the grain of British football. But from what I've seen abroad and, in a few cases here, it's a growing disease."
Tony Pulis Quotes of the week

Ahead of a Europa League showdown with Spanish giants Valencia on Thursday, Pulis said: "I cannot stand the sight of players rolling around. It really goes against the grain of British football.

"But from what I've seen abroad and, in a few cases here, it's a growing disease. Players aren't even touched and they're falling over. It puts enormous pressure on referees.

"I watch Spanish football and they're regularly doing it over there and everyone just takes it as the norm. But I don't think it is clever. I think it's cheating."

He added: "I've seen instances where players are looking to get the other player sent off.

"It's wrong, completely wrong. They're all in the same profession."