West Brom manager Tony Pulis has welcomed the prospect of players being retrospectively banned for diving, but Swansea boss Paul Clement claims “it is not the answer”.
The new offence of ‘successful deception of a match official’ will be introduced in England after being approved by shareholders at the Football Association’s annual general meeting at Wembley on Thursday.
Incidents will be reviewed by a panel comprised of an ex-manager, ex-player and an ex-referee, each watching the footage independently. If they are unanimous in believing a player deceived a match official, the sanction will be a two-match ban.
Simulation has been an issue in the game for years and there have been a number of notable cases this season – including Robert Snodgrass’ dive to earn a penalty for Hull against Crystal Palace and other alleged incidents involving the likes of Leroy Sane, Dele Alli and Marcus Rashford.
Baggies boss Pulis believes the changes will be for the good of the game.
“I’m pleased it’s the way forward. I don’t think there’s any place for it in the game,” Pulis said.
“We will soon lose all of that if we get a two-game ban.
“I would most probably fine the players as well and give the money to charity.”
Pulis added: “Every manager and club will say it’s happened to them, but it’s something we want to take out of the game.
“It’s important we do. It’s a fantastic product the Premier League and this will make it even better.”
The process is similar to the one already used for red-card offences which were missed at the time but caught on camera, and cases will be fast-tracked.
If a player admits to a charge of successfully deceiving an official, or is found to have done so, any yellow or red card given to an opposing player, as a result of the deceit, can be rescinded.
Swansea head coach Paul Clement, who previously was at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, feels any action should be implemented during the game by the officials rather than retrospectively after the offence, which could have directly influenced the result.
“It’s not the answer. Video technology and looking at instant replays of major incidents are the steps that need to be taken.
“The problem is if you’re on the end of a potential dive that could cost you points, retrospective action is not going to help you and your team,’’ Clement said.
“What it can do is potentially help another team as that player could be out for future fixtures, so I don’t see it as the answer.
“Any punishment has to be done there and then.”