FA boss Barwick targets divers

14 April 2012

New Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick today declared war on divers as he called on managers and players to back his bid to clean up the game.

Barwick took over his new post yesterday and wasted no time in plunging straight into key issues, including a plea to Arsenal and Manchester United to show restraint in tonight's clash at Highbury.

However, he also made it clear that the FA would seek to crack down on diving, or as he preferred to call it, "cheating".

The issue was revived recently when El Hadji Diouf went sprawling to win a penalty at Blackburn, while Wayne Rooney was also accused of going to ground too easily against Arsenal last October.

However, the FA could take no action against Diouf because the penalty had been awarded by referee Steve Bennett, who was therefore deemed to have seen the incident clearly.

Barwick declared: "There are always issues in the game and there always will be. One that concerns me personally is technically termed 'simulation'.

"Let's get real - this is diving. Cheating, in fact.

"We've all got to show more honesty here. Every week, referees are coming under intense scrutiny when making split-second judgement calls in this area.

"It's impossible to get them all right and everyone has got to take a greater level of responsibility.

"Players and managers may benefit when the decision goes their way. But I believe they and everyone else in football suffers long-term - from the fans in our grounds to the millions of viewers and, perhaps most importantly, the next generation of young footballers."

While Barwick believes the game is, overall, in a healthy state, he is therefore looking to see more respect for referees.

"Respect for the game is paramount and respect for the referee is essential. Football should never be afraid to learn from other sports," he added in an article released by the FA today.

"For example, I've always been impressed at the way in which the player-referee relationship in rugby union is based on mutual respect.

"I want to see this type of relationship at every level of football, from the Premier League to the Sunday League."

Barwick also wants to see the likes of Arsenal and United setting an example, starting in tonight's clash at Highbury.

Both clubs have been under FA investigation after their last two Old Trafford clashes, with Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson having only just called a temporary truce in their war of words.

Barwick declared: "This is one of English football's biggest games and I will be at Highbury to witness the latest instalment tonight.

"When these two great teams meet, it should represent all that is good about our domestic game and not be the subject of recrimination and revenge for weeks, and indeed months, following.

"That does not set the right example for the rest of the game.

"Along with millions of other football fans, I'm therefore looking forward to a classic encounter played in the right spirit. In fact, an absolute belter of a game."

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