I was interested to read your comments on diving, as reported in yesterday's "i" newspaper.

You apparently referred to diving as "a sporting tactic". And you argued that "football is about trying to trick your opponent". Yes, it is, but it shouldn't be about trying to trick the referee, who has a hard enough job without players setting out to deceive him.

You also attack video technology, saying that refereeing errors are an intrinsic part of the game. I guess your real objection is that the technology could be used to expose the cheats.

You tell us that in your playing days in Argentina diving was regarded as a skill, which was practised in training, and players who succeeded in tricking the referee were congratulated.

I can only suggest that you go back to Argentina, because I suspect most decent British people will find your attitudes very offensive and as setting a bad example to both players and children.

There's one thing you said on which I almost agree with you, namely, that Alli "is a little bit nasty". It's the "little bit" that you've got wrong.

entitled to his opinion. haven't got to agree with it

Edited by sxp55 (08 Feb 2018 11.01am)

@sxp55555

To be fair, advocating cheating is a bit more than an opinion as a representative of top level football. Let's hope he has been taken out of context.

This is what Wenger thinks about 'Diving' and English players.

[Link]

One wonders if there would have been a furore if an English manager made similar comments about French players ? Or even African players ?

Edited by Willo (08 Feb 2018 2.46pm)