Why are theatrics so common in football?
Tackling the reasoning behind the rise of the dive
Whilst watching the Champions League group game between FC Barcelona and Juventus, the commentators clearly were disgruntled at the actions of some of the players on display. This culminated with the co-commentator calling for “a coming together of players to try and cut down on the misleading and deliberate actions causing damage to the game”. Firstly, I don’t think that ‘a coming together’ will be allowed to happen anytime soon with the global issue currently occurring, but I began to think about potential different reasons why diving and playacting may be more common in today’s game. With this in mind, here are some reasons why the diving bug isn’t likely to leave us anytime soon
Modern footballers were raised with their idols doing the same
Diving has been in the game since before the turn of the century, and was performed by some of the most famous players, on the largest stages in football. For example, former Germany international Jürgen Klinsmann was largely credited with the spread of diving throughout the world during the 1990 World Cup. His most famous display came in the final, in which he was on the end of a rather meaty tackle whilst charging towards the box. However, his actions were certainly over-exaggerated, and whilst the player would most likely have been sent off regardless of Klinsmann’s actions, his antics that day paved the way for more players to follow suit.
The most famous example came over 30 years ago, and it has grown exponentially since then. Now, players who grew up watching these players will be at their peaks or maybe even retired. Watching their idols performing these actions would surely leave an impression on them, that “this is what the greats do”. However, it now occurs on every level, in every nation. Attempting to stop it has been futile, and will remain so, since it is clear players are not discouraged by their clubs. In fact…
Football is big business, and teams are after advantages
Now, I am not suggesting that clubs are actively encouraging their players to dive and try to win advantageous set pieces via cheating, but I am also not saying that they are trying to stop the problem neither. In tight games, a penalty or free kick can be the difference between winning and drawing, between 3 points or a solitary one. In that situation, will a club not want their players to do whatever is necessary for their team to win, even if it involves tricking the referee?
Football is one of the most lucrative markets currently operating in the entertainment and sport industry. What was once worth a few million is worth potentially hundreds of millions in revenue for a club, and this money helps to keep a club afloat, or to assert dominance, a la Manchester United in the 00s. This money pays footballers, managers, and staff who run the club day to day. Therefore, teams will never properly discourage diving, however wrong or embarrassing it may be to their reputation, as they know the act can be the difference in the end.
It may be the only way to win a penalty
This may seem like a weird concept, but the psychology of football has changed. Even minor tackles nowadays seem to be met with rolling around on the floor, or holding of a body part, or even a large outcry of pain. What makes this even funnier is when players do this and then get up immediately and act like nothing happened. However, referees are so accustomed to large acts of playacting following a challenge, most are better prepared to not take these reactions into account when deciding what to do with the accused player.
However, what happens if a player instead forgoes any sort of diving elements and just accepts the tackle, however bad it is? Or better yet, what if a player feels proper physical contact, that could count as a penalty, but continues regardless and loses the ball as a result? It is now part and parcel of the game that if this occurs, a commentator may so “he might have been better going down there” or “he’s been punished for being honest”. Indeed, referees are so used to playacting for semi-serious challenges, that they perceive some tackles without this playacting to be a fair tackle, even if it is not. So, will a player not want to dive, if they think they will not be awarded a penalty or free kick if they are honest?
Attempts to stop it have been fruitless
It is no secret that theatrics in football has been a hot issue in the sport for a while now. Pundits have continuously criticised certain players who have become associated with the action, and managers have called out the same types of players (if they are on the opposition, coincidentally) if it has cost their team points. Therefore, with the amount of uproar about it, the English FA knew something needed to be done to tackle the problem.
The Premier League has introduced the most significant legislature to challenge theatrics, starting with a retrospective ban of two games if it is held that a player has deliberately misled a referee into awarding a wrongful penalty or a incorrect red card to an opposition player. At first, this was held to be a positive step to the goal of stopping theatrics, but it has proved ineffective. In its first two seasons, only two players were given retrospective bans for misleading the official, and they occurred in the first three months of the introduction of the system. The problem lies in how complicated the method is. It does not affect yellow cards or free kicks, and an on-field inspection team determines whether to submit it to a panel of an ex referee, player and manager. Then, the panel must come to a unanimous decision on what to do. Clearly, this was doomed from the start.
Another method was for officials to book players they believed had dove in a game at the time of the offence. This was hoped to act as a deterrent, not just in the game itself, but in subsequent games too. However, its subjective viewpoint means whilst some referees will book a player who has dove, another referee might fall for it and award a penalty. As well, in some scenarios, referees may actually book a player who was legitimately fouled, which is particularly concerning, especially if the player is known to dive. Whilst you may believe it is a case of the boy who cried wolf, it means a player may never change their theatrical ways. It is hoped the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will better challenge the issue, but with the effectiveness it is currently operating with in other fields of the game, that may be a pipe dream.
Conclusion
Overall, a number of factors are at play which makes the diving action a tough opponent. The way the game has developed over the years, and the large amount of financial opportunity it offers, means clubs will seek any means to gain an advantage on the field. The fact it is on the biggest stages and involves the biggest stars means most people will be aware of it. Indeed, fans of other sports usually mention this when football is mentioned. However, if initiatives like VAR fail to address the problem, the next generation are likely to continue the thrive of the dive.
