Diving (association football)

In association football, diving is an attempt by a player to gain an unfair advantage by falling to the ground and possibly feigning an injury, to give the impression that a foul has been committed. Dives are often used to exaggerate the amount of contact present in a challenge. Deciding on whether a player has dived is often very subjective, and one of the most controversial aspects of football discussion. Players do this so they can receive free kicks or penalty kicks, which can provide scoring opportunities, or so the opposing player receives a yellow or red card, giving their own team an advantage. Diving is also known as flopping,simulation (the term used by FIFA), and Schwalbe (German for swallow).

A 2009 study found that there are recognisable traits that can often be observed when a player is diving. They are:

Referees and FIFA are now trying to prevent diving with more frequent punishments as part of their ongoing target to stop all kinds of simulation in football. The game's rules now state that "Attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)", must be sanctioned as unsporting behaviour which is misconduct punishable by a yellow card. The rule changes are in response to an increasing trend of diving and simulation.

In 2009, UEFA made the decision to ban Arsenal forward Eduardo da Silva for a dive during a Champions League qualifier against Celtic. Eduardo initially received a penalty after referee Manuel Mejuto González believed Eduardo had been fouled by Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc, but video evidence showed there was no contact between Eduardo and Boruc. Eduardo scored the subsequent penalty, with the goal putting Arsenal 3–0 up on aggregate. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger claimed the ban, which was to last two games, was "a complete disgrace and unacceptable", as it singled out Eduardo as a cheat, something which UEFA would be unable to prove. The ban was subsequently overturned on appeal, with Eduardo saying he was pleased UEFA had "arrived at the truth" as he was a "fair player" and was "not the type of player who needs to be dishonest".

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