• Premier League

FA plans to punish divers rejected

Ashley Young was alleged to have dived against Crystal Palace © PA Photos

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Plans to introduce retrospective action for diving were rejected in the summer, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

The FA hoped to follow the example set by the Scottish FA, which has banned players for up to two games if found guilty of simulation during a match using video evidence.

Plans set out over the summer would have allowed the FA, which has control over all disciplinary matters, to alter their rules on diving - but the idea, put forward by the Football Regulatory Authority, is said to have been rejected by both Premier League and Football League clubs, as well as the body which represents referees, Professional Game Match Officials Ltd.

FA chairman Greg Dyke, who took over the role in the summer, has been eager to ensure the governing body is seen to be working effectively. Last month he pushed through a mid-season change to the rules over retrospective action after Chelsea striker Fernando Torres escaped a ban for his scratch to the face of Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen - and it is thought the FA will consider going against the Premier League and Football League to bring in another change.

But it seems far more likely that such a major shift in the disciplinary process will be pursued again next summer, despite the recent high profile cases of alleged diving involving Chelsea's Ramires in winning an injury time penalty equaliser against West Brom on Saturday and Man United's Ashley Young against Crystal Palace.

The Scottish FA's policy of handing out up to a two-game suspension for players who are believed to have dived is controversial as the punishment on the field of play itself is only a yellow card, which on its own does not carry any length of ban.

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