Diving Revisited

Following my last posting on this subject (see 10 April 2012), we have had another weekend of Premier League shenanigans what with goals that shouldn't have been and penalties that should or shouldn't have been, depending upon which team you follow.

I don't think that anyone could claim that the decision to award Chelsea's second goal was a correct one. Even Chelsea skipper John Terry who perhaps had the best view of all, acknowledged this.

The other contentious decision of the weekend was whether referee Mark Halsey was right to award Manchester United a penalty when Ashley Young "fell" in the Aston Villa penalty area. On this matter, opinion seems to be divided, though even Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged that Young went to ground too easily.

So once again there are arguments for technology to be used and I can only reiterate my previous views that something has to be done to improve the standard of officialdom  and stamp out blatant cheating.

Ashley Young is now in danger of getting a reputation for diving, something that can work both for and against his team. Ronaldo quite rightly gained just such a reputation but this led to occasions when he should have genuinely been awarded a penalty, but wasn't because of that reputation.

Anyway, should Young become a laughing stock in the Premiership, it seems that other opportunities are becoming available. James Cameron is making a sequel to 'Titanic' and is seeking divers prepared to go 12,000 feet below the surface to where the wreck lies.

Ashley Young has been nominated for the role.


Here is Young getting ready for his next role (or his next match).


However, Professional Footballers' Association chairman Clarke Carlisle does not believe Ashley Young is a diver but says players need to be more honest.
So there, it's official!