Faking Injuries & Diving

Now that the 2006 world cup is over, you have probably read all sorts of analyses on how the game has changed over the years. I want to talk about the world cup final, the 1966 final between England and Germany.

I watched a tape of that game just prior to watching the 2006 final. What a difference! Remember, no substitutes were allowed in 1966. I didn't see one dive. I didn't see one fake injury. The game was faster than the 2006 game. Players were running more. there was continuous action. The 120 minutes just flew by. Oh yes, there were tough tackles, from behind into the legs - the ones that warrant red cards today. More importantly, the ones that have players go down and roll around now for minutes in "agony". Stretchers come out.

Back in 1966, the player tackling pulled up the tackled player to get the game going. The "injured" player at most limped a bit and kept on playing. Oh, and if the team didn't want to restart play quickly? The referee grabbed the ball, tossed it or ran it to the nearest player and got them going. Today, I believe a 90 minute game actually has 56 minutes of playing time. In 1966 it must have had 80 minutes of playing time, so who is fitter?

How do we get back to this type of free flowing soccer?

Every player who stays down for more than 10 seconds needs to be taken off the field for a mandatory 10 minute medical assessment. Or the player may be substituted.

Every "dive" should be reviewed on video after the game, just like fouls can be reviewed today. If a dive has been established, the player gets suspended for 1 game.

You think we'd get back to 1966 finals??