Jim Boyce has called for heavier punishments for players who harm football's image by diving.While the World Cup in Brazil has delivered a high standard of entertainment, fans are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the number of players who are cheating by hurling themselves to the ground easily.
Holland ace Arjen Robben apologised for diving during his side's 2-1 win over Mexico and Fifa vice-president Boyce wants referees to get tough on the cheats.
The former Irish FA president feels players who dive should be sent off rather than shown a yellow card.
"A dive is something that needs to be looked at and punished more severely than it is at the present time," said Boyce. "I think cheating has to be eradicated from the game.
"If it is absolutely no question whatsoever that it is a dive, I think perhaps Fifa have to look at whether that should be a red-card offence."
However, the former Cliftonville chairman does not support the use of video technology to prove a player had dived.
"I believe that we don't want to ruin our game by bringing in a lot more technology," he added.
The Ulsterman believes this tournament is unmatched in terms of quality.
He added: "It has been probably the best World Cup ever. We have seen some tremendous matches. There were a lot of worries before the tournament, but in fairness it has gone a lot better than people expected."
Boyce is head of Fifa's referees committee and insisted there has been no policy – as has been suggested by some – of telling officials to show restraint in the number of bookings.
He said: "I think the refereeing has been superb, and it has not happened by chance. The referees have told me they have never had such good preparation for a World Cup.
"They have been told to only send a player off if they were 100% certain, but nothing has been said about being lenient." |
