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Outrage, Fume and Cheating

Just picture the scene: a footballer knowingly gets the last touch on the ball before it goes out of play, yet still passionately claims a corner. Then imagine it prompts social media to descend into meltdown and those bastions of level-headed insight, radio phone-in shows, turn the airwaves blue as the fume of fans and pundits alike cannot be contained at such blatant dishonesty.

That may sound ridiculous at first, but think about it, when it comes to footballers being dishonest on the pitch, just how far do we take our outrage? Why is it we’re quite happy to accept certain acts of dishonesty, but get all Corinthian on others? Usually club loyalties dictate whether or not we take the moral high ground or go on the defensive; such is the emotion tied up in football.

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The Christian Benteke penalty decision at the end of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool was another of those moments that create such laughable levels of hysteria. Damien Delaney’s decision to leave his feet when behind Benteke and make a desperate lunge for the ball was a stupid one. Actually, I’d say it was a brainless decision and he obviously realised, albeit too late, because he changed his mind and tried to pull out of the tackle. His realisation came too late though and his knee caught Benteke’s foot. Yes, there wasn’t much contact and yes, I think it’s a soft penalty, but it’s certainly not what I would classify as a ‘dive’. Did he exaggerate the contact? Probably, but it’s not a dive. Personally, I classify a dive as a player throwing themselves to the ground without contact or initiating any contact themselves, thus simulating a foul. However, quite how to precisely classify a ‘dive’ is another argument that could go on forever.

My issue is the hypocrisy in the moral high ground taken by some in this argument. The “cheat” tag was fired out with venom on social media and radio by presenters, pundits and ex-pros. The vitriol I actually find quite amusing, given the hypocrisy of it all. Some players get it, some get away with it; that’s just the way it is sadly and that’s a part of the hypocrisy with some people in the media. Jamie Vardy shifting his bodyweight to initiate contact with Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal and it not receiving the moral outrage being a perfect point in question. Soft penalty decisions like the Benteke one are quite common, but don’t often get the same venomous response and that suggests to me it was a bit of a slow news day in the minds of some who seem to exist on sensationalism. The selective holier-than-thou self-righteousness is stomach churning.

To those claiming Benteke was guilty of a dive or cheating, isn’t claiming a corner, a goal kick or a throw in when you the ball touched you last cheating? How about a handball the officials haven’t spotted and playing on? Just how far do we go with this? This may sound pedantic, but how can we not bat an eyelid to most examples of dishonesty on the football pitch, but expect anything from a yellow card to death by firing squad for another?

Let me make one thing clear, I am in no way trying to condone diving or simulation or whatever you wish to call it. Personally, I don’t like it and I find it embarrassing, especially the sight of players rolling around in supposed agony, but I find the level of faux outrage completely disproportionate; particularly from certain sections of the media. One desperate attention seeker even suggested life bans. Like I said, I don’t like diving, but a life-time ban? Some people take idiocy to unchartered ground. Deception, dishonesty and exaggeration on the football pitch is not great, it isn’t. However, it’s also nothing new and not the worst thing that happens out there. It is okay for us to admit that.

So when it comes to hysteria, it really should be over a career threatening tackle or an idiotic two-footed lunge, something really justifying of the fume.

Alan Pardew’s frustration at his side’s poor run of form and losing the game in injury, no doubt contributed to his ranting at the decision. It also probably poured petrol on the pitchforks of those spitting fury over the airwaves. Pardew would be better served ensuring his defenders don’t go to ground unnecessarily in the penalty area than convincing himself he’s been cheated out of points.

Andy Wales
Andy Wales
Football writer and podcaster. Family man and Liverpool fan.
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3 COMMENTS

  1. Those are the same people that drove a genius like Suarez out of the EPL to the boring La Liga and gave Barca another weapon to strike at all of Europe …
    I am a Liverpool fan and wanted him out just to save him from these people that have no morals calling him all kinds of names paying no attention that he also is a son, a father and a husband among many other entities he holds and wrote about him as if he was Judas or Bin Laden, simply because he was doing what’s best for his club.
    Look at him now with all the trophies he collected ad collecting including top scorer like he was in England.
    Good Article mate …

  2. As a former semi pro footballer I can honestly say I wouldn’t want to play in this modern game with it’s stupid haircuts and cheating idiots. Could you imagine Liverpool greats like Tommy Smith being too scared to make a tackle because some diving git falls down and screams. Yes Benteke screamed as he was brushed by Delaney’s sock. As for good article you obviously have never played and know absolutely nothing..

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