Players' dissent and simulation

Ever since the beginning of the world, man has always been loathe to accept authority.

As mankind developed, structures were set up for man to follow a disciplined life... the same goes for football.

The Laws of the Game were drawn up so that those who played the game had a referee and two assistants, and in recent years a fourth official, who would control proceedings.

Knowing that despite this there would be those on the field of play who would still dispute decisions, those behind the laws termed one of the infringements as 'dissent'.

This form of protest is perhaps the most common throughout football.

Players and officials on the bench have a knack of showing dissent whenever they disagree with a decision taken by the referee.

The word 'dissent' has been fully spelt out by UEFA to include such actions as running towards a referee or assistant in protest or by showing dissent by action or gesture. This latter case is perhaps the most common.

Another form of dissent, which is also quite widespread, is the verbal or physical demand of a yellow card for an opponent. We saw this quite often in last year's World Cup as well as in recent televised matches.

No player has the right to pressure the referee into taking any action. In many cases, however, they get away with it as, unfortunately, the referee fails to act and caution the guilty player.

In most instances 'simulation' is an infringement which is difficult to decide. Many people think that this way of cheating only occurs in the penalty area.

This is not so and whenever the action of players is clearly intended to deceive the referee, then a player is guilty of simulation in whichever part of the field it may happen.

Some players purposely initiate contact with an opponent, or use slight contact, to induce the referee to award a free-kick in their favour.

This is also simulation and must be punished by the referee.

Referees must make players understand that simulation is unacceptable and so they cannot allow it to go unpunished.

Recently, UEFA again reminded referees that not enough was being done to try and stamp out simulation. The decision is difficult as the player has a right to fall and avoid injury from a tackle, but, it must be a genuine attempt and not to obtain a free-kick when no offence has occurred.

The referee's job has never been an easy one but with so much money in football these days players will do almost anything to trick the referee into awarding them a free-kick, or if it happens in the box, a penalty even if they do not deserve it.

Some players aim to win at all costs and so don't mind cheating as, after all, that is what simulation is.