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SFA TO TACKLE FOOTBALL CHEATS
The Scottish Football Association is to target players who cheat in football, as part of a range of measures to improve the image of the game in the coming season.
Chief Executive Gordon Smith announced today that the SFA will use video evidence to clamp down on players who dive or feign injury, and issue retrospective yellow cards to the perpetrators.
He said: “In recent years, one unhealthy development in the game in Scotland has been that of simulation, the term used within football to refer to cheating by players – either to gain an advantage by “conning” the referee or to provoke the referee to issue a sanction against an opponent. It can often be the case that the perpetrator of the offence is successful in his intentions and also escapes punishment. When this happens, there is little doubt that the image of the game is harmed. In these circumstances, the cheat wins. It is the intention of the SFA to address the problem by introducing an initiative from 1 January 2008 to target the offence of simulation when committed by players who escape sanction from the referee.”
He explained that the match referee will review footage of every televised match, and
identify incidents where clear cases of blatant simulation occurred and where the player concerned did not receive a sanction. In the event that such an act of simulation is identified by the referee, the SFA would add three penalty points to the record of each player reported. If a player is also cautioned in the match for a separate offence, the player would be regarded as having been sent off and would incur an automatic one match suspension. Similarly, the referee could also retract yellow cards.
From now until 1 January, a trial period will assess the possible impact of the proposal
Gordon Smith made it clear that clubs and players must address the issue, and added: “The problem is not a referees’ one – it is their job to apply the Laws of the Game. If players did not seek to indulge in cheating, the problem would not exist. At the top level of the game players have a duty to set the correct standards of sporting attitudes and conduct for the benefit of current and future participants in football, whether they be young players or spectators. It is time to do something about the problem.”
Among other disciplinary initiatives taken by the SFA in the coming season, referees are being told to be tough on a range of misdemeanours, such as holding and pushing in the penalty area, mass confrontations, serious foul play and unacceptable behaviour in the technical area.
Donald McVicar, Head of Referee Development, said: “Referees in Scotland are instructed to be particularly strong in identifying these offences and suitably punish offenders. This is not a clampdown but an effort to improve the game’s image. Tough decisions will be required but a consistent approach should have a desired effect.”
All the senior clubs have been invited to a meeting with the SFA on Thursday to have the instructions explained to them, to ensure the message gets out to players in advance of the season starting on Saturday.
Donald McVicar added: “It is important for the managers, coaches and players to be aware why a referee will interpret a point of play or the seriousness of an offence. Of equal importance is the need for referees to be more tactically aware and to understand the needs of the game.”
The Scottish Football Association is to target players who cheat in football, as part of a range of measures to improve the image of the game in the coming season.
Chief Executive Gordon Smith announced today that the SFA will use video evidence to clamp down on players who dive or feign injury, and issue retrospective yellow cards to the perpetrators.
He said: “In recent years, one unhealthy development in the game in Scotland has been that of simulation, the term used within football to refer to cheating by players – either to gain an advantage by “conning” the referee or to provoke the referee to issue a sanction against an opponent. It can often be the case that the perpetrator of the offence is successful in his intentions and also escapes punishment. When this happens, there is little doubt that the image of the game is harmed. In these circumstances, the cheat wins. It is the intention of the SFA to address the problem by introducing an initiative from 1 January 2008 to target the offence of simulation when committed by players who escape sanction from the referee.”
He explained that the match referee will review footage of every televised match, and
identify incidents where clear cases of blatant simulation occurred and where the player concerned did not receive a sanction. In the event that such an act of simulation is identified by the referee, the SFA would add three penalty points to the record of each player reported. If a player is also cautioned in the match for a separate offence, the player would be regarded as having been sent off and would incur an automatic one match suspension. Similarly, the referee could also retract yellow cards.
From now until 1 January, a trial period will assess the possible impact of the proposal
Gordon Smith made it clear that clubs and players must address the issue, and added: “The problem is not a referees’ one – it is their job to apply the Laws of the Game. If players did not seek to indulge in cheating, the problem would not exist. At the top level of the game players have a duty to set the correct standards of sporting attitudes and conduct for the benefit of current and future participants in football, whether they be young players or spectators. It is time to do something about the problem.”
Among other disciplinary initiatives taken by the SFA in the coming season, referees are being told to be tough on a range of misdemeanours, such as holding and pushing in the penalty area, mass confrontations, serious foul play and unacceptable behaviour in the technical area.
Donald McVicar, Head of Referee Development, said: “Referees in Scotland are instructed to be particularly strong in identifying these offences and suitably punish offenders. This is not a clampdown but an effort to improve the game’s image. Tough decisions will be required but a consistent approach should have a desired effect.”
All the senior clubs have been invited to a meeting with the SFA on Thursday to have the instructions explained to them, to ensure the message gets out to players in advance of the season starting on Saturday.
Donald McVicar added: “It is important for the managers, coaches and players to be aware why a referee will interpret a point of play or the seriousness of an offence. Of equal importance is the need for referees to be more tactically aware and to understand the needs of the game.”
