OPINION: Unfortunately, Diving Part of the Game

�One small dive for Schelotto, one giant leap for MLS?�

May 28, 2008

By The Irish Immigrant

Controversy erupted last week at BMO Field in Toronto when the Columbus Crew�s Argentinean playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto was accused of play-acting by Toronto coah John Carver. Schelotto was booked later in the game for �diving� but Carver felt it was too little too late, and that the antics of the diminutive Argentine are bad for Major League Soccer.

In his post match press conference, Carver spoke of his disappointment with Schelotto�s diving, claiming that if it happenned back in England, there would be a public outcry that the image of the game in England had been tarnished. Carver also stated that he had never seen anything like it before.

Let me start by saying that I agree with the boisterous Geordie, that �diving� is not good for the image of Major League Soccer, or the sport of soccer in general, anywhere in the world. It perpetuates the myth of the weak, crybaby soccer player, that many non-believers use as a reason not to watch the world�s game.

Is diving an accepted part of the game?

However, for Carver to say he has never seen anything like Schelotto�s antics is a little disingenuious. Many English Premier League fans (those who grew up in England) are in denial about the presence of diving in their league. To them, England represents one of the last bastions of true football, where honor is still a part of the game, and fellow professionals frown upon diving. The fans on the terraces abhor cheating -- it�s just those foreigners that dive. When European players first started coming to England, there was a genuine uproar across the game that this simulation could not, and would not be tolerated in the hallowed grounds of the home of football. However, it still happens, and happens a lot.

Look at this season�s player of the year in England. Arguably, the best player in Europe currently, Cristiano Ronaldo has a huge reputation for going down at the slightest hint of contact. Granted, these occurrances have decreased during his time in England but he is still prone to a dive or two. Do the Manchester United fans boo him for winning constant fouls through the art of simulation? Of course not. Sir Alex Ferguson, a manager who never misses an indiscretion by an opponent, has many times found himself unsighted when his player is caught diving.

One of the most outrageous incidents I have ever seen occurred in Man. U�s last home game of the season. The talented Portuguese player headbutted an opponent, and then incredibly dived to the ground holding his face to try to escape the wrath of the referee. Thankfully he did not and received his marching orders. There was no mass uprising against him from anyone! This was far more agregiuos than Schelotto�s transgressions, but I guess Mr. Carver missed that round of fixtures and the recent history of Manchester United.

But maybe, being a good Geordie, he cannot bring himself to watch United. How about the other recent dominant power in England, Chelsea? Didier Drogba has been known to flop on occasion. Indeed, before the Champions League semifinal, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez produced a DVD for his defenders of all of Drogba�s diving. Again, has Mr. Carver missed out on the Chelsea revival in recent years?

Up and down the Premiership, every team has players who have fallen under the diving spotlight at one time or another, yet English fans refuse to acknowledge it exists in their game. Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen. I have seen all these English players dive. Diving, or simulation, to give it its official name, I am sad to say, is part of the world game now and to claim otherwise is inaccurate.

A current member of Carver�s squad has his own history of going to ground. Going back to 2004, when Carver was an assistant manager at Newcastle, Laurent Robert was under his charge, as he is again now at Toronto. Robert was certainly not one to stay on his feet under a robust challenge. Yet his crimes were not so bad as Carver brought him to MLS with him.

My intention here is not to say we should treat diving as acceptable part of soccer. It certainly is not and I can�t sand to see it. I agree with Carver that it is bad for the game, but I do not think it is fair to insinuate that it is a problem of Major League Soccer�s making. Diving, or �simulation,� is an issue in the game all across the globe.

In that respect, perhaps the dawn of the dive in Major League Soccer, is in some twisted way, a sign of the continued progress this league is making. As more players with experience in the world game join this league, more of those tactics will come with them. In countries such as Spain and Italy, considered two of the strongest leagues in the world, diving is a major problem. Granted, simulation is less prevalent in the EPL, but it is certainly still there. If Major League Soccer is to dine at the table with these major powers, how can they not inherit, positive and negative aspects of these major powers?

MLS teams now compete in tournaments against South American teams and Mexican teams. Diving is also evident in these leagues. Should MLS teams not be subject to the same standards as the teams they compete against and aspire to compete against on a level playing field? When in Rome, do as the Romans do, right?

Diving is not acceptable, but it is very much a part of the world game. It exists in all the major leagues in the world and not just Major League Soccer. I am sure Mr. Carver�s comments were out of frustration in the heat of the moment, but if he truly wishes to find a league that is devoid of diving, he may be looking for a very long time.

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