Arsenal Boss Points Out Xenophobic Dive Double Standards
by Alan Smith's Forehead on September 11th, 2009 353 words | 2 commentsWenger makes a valid point on the culture of simulation.
Wenger has conceded the striker exaggerated his fall, but he still believes Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc made contact with Eduardo and a penalty was justified.
‘Eduardo made a bit more of it but watch the television and it is part of the game,’ said the Arsenal manager.
‘It is a very fine line between being shrewd and cheating the referee.
‘You cannot prove intent from a guy who is touched; he goes down and shows the referee that it is a penalty.
‘It’s a very emotional situation. Being a hero or a cheat depends very much on what side of the camp you are on.
‘England are in the World Cup and if Rooney does that in the last minute of the game and England win the World Cup, do you really think Rooney will be slaughtered the next day?’ (Daily Mail)
If anyone believes that in this day and age that diving is more prevalent among those who do not originate from the UK then you are sadly mistaken. Perhaps ten years ago the idea of taking a dive was far less acceptable and practiced then on the continent but I can assure you we have well and truly caught up on that score.
Eduardo was always be the victim of the boo boys at Wembley and in many ways it was understandable, the England supporters were just using another tool to get at the opposition and perhaps it did the trick but let’s be honest there are a great many divers amongst the England line up and they do not get pulled up as often as their continental friends simply because there is certainly some sort of xenophobic attitude prevalent among some spheres of football.
Diving is a disgrace whomever commits the offence and fact is it should be punished regardless of nationality so in many ways our Croatian deserved his punishment for his Celtic tumble but clearly the punishment must be consistent for anyone to take notice and for the game to really eradicate the behaviour that really does sicken and anger most supporters.
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anonymous - September 11th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Let me contribute as someone who is not part of your self proclaimed group of “most supporters”. Diving, for me, is no worse an offence of cheating than myriad other offences such as tugging at shirts (including the deliberate “pull back”, deliberate and obvious fouls outside the box to break up opponents’ attacks, feigning injury, trying to get an opponent sent off, claiming for decisions that you clearly know should go the other way , etc. etc. Cheating is cheating, is indeed a digrace, and should be tackled in all its forms. Why the hang up about diving specifically? It’s one of the most difficult offences to be certain about in the majority of cases because of the speed of events. If you are going to label someone as a cheat you’ve got to go throuigh a very robust and just process to determine the facts beyond reasonable doubt. Despite the “certainty” of the self righteousmedia rent- a-gobs, the reality is that the Eduardo incident is far from cut and dried and he certainly does not deserve singling out and vilification on the basis of knee jerk clamour and campaigning by certain (often biased) sections of the media and football establishment. As for “intent to deceive the referee”, who the hell in their right minds came up with that concept as an actionable offence?
davey boy - September 11th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
the decision was justified. lets be honest, although i agree it came out of the blue how eduardo was first to bite the bullet, arsenal fans would not complain if the shoe was on the other foot and a player dived against them and got a ban following the game. i agree with the decision, but just hope its carried on throughout europe and not just players of the premier league who get punished. But face facts, eduardo did dive, and is a cheating little twat and deserves punishment. as does rooney, ronaldo, drogba etc.