It's now official that players found guilty of diving or simulation will be handed two-match bans starting this season.
The amount of players attempting to con a referee by hurling themselves to the floor has been a major problem for years now and The FA have been considering going to greater lengths than the usual yellow card being brandished in order to combat the issue of play-acting and cheating.
Image: PA
Advert
The Times reports that starting on Friday night, when the English domestic season gets under way as Sunderland host Derby County in the Sky Bet Championship opening game at the Stadium Light, the punishment will come into play.
As noted in the report,The FA had sent officials to Scotland, where the current system sees a player get a two-match ban who gains an advantage for the team through simulation or diving. Incidents are then reviewed using video footage and the decision is then made.
And though The FA are taking a leaf out of the Scottish FA's book to a certain extent, the process will be slightly different. In Scotland, only one person reviews the footage, whereas in England, from now on, a three-person panel made up of an ex player, manager and referee will watch incidents with "clear and overwhelming evidence" that result in a penalty or a dismissal of an opponent, and must all be in agreement as to whether a player warrants a two-match ban.
Image: PA
Advert
14 professionals have been selected to be part of the panel - though if any individual has a connection to the club involved in the incident in question they will not be allowed to review.
Those who are found guilty of diving on more than occasion will be handed an addition one-game ban for every time they repeat their offence, while it's also noted that there are plans to overturn the ban given to a play who is wrongly booked, or red carded. However, slightly annoyingly, a player booked for diving through mistaken identity will not result in a ban being rescinded.
Moreover, the FA are said to be making it a priority to hold the panel reviews as soon as possible so that if found not guilty, the player is available to play in the next upcoming fixture - with the same applying to players who are found guilty so that they serve their ban effective immediately.
Advert
Lastly, clubs will have the opportunity to appeal any ban upheld, but it could prove problematic all three members of the panel have to be unanimous in their decision.
What do you think of the new punishment? Which player will be the first to be receiving a ban for deception in England?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Premier League