Kick Diving Out of Football

To:  English Football Association

I ask of all football fans to come together and say ‘no more diving’. This is quickly becoming constant behaviour by professional footballers and is bringing the game into disrepute. What kind of an example are these players setting to children who want to be just like their hero’s? What kind of example is the F.A giving out by letting these players get away with it?

"CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PLAYERS
Obligations towards the game
3. Set a positive example for others, particularly young players and supporters.
4. Avoid all forms of gamesmanship, and time-wasting.
5. Always have regard to the best interests of the game, including where publicly expressing an opinion on the game and any particular aspect of it, including others involved in the game.

Obligations towards one’s own team
A player should:
1. Make every effort consistent with Fair Play and the Laws of the Game to help his own team win."


There is plenty of video evidence to show the players dive. When a player dives for a penalty or gets a free-kick which results in a goal, isn’t this the same as match fixing and we all know how seriously match fixing is taken. So why is diving allowed to go on.

Players sign a contract that states they will not breach these rules:

"3. Duties and Obligations of the Player

3.1 The Player agrees:
3.1.1 when directed by an authorised official of the Club:
3.1.1.1 to attend matches in which the Club is engaged;

3.1.8 to observe the Laws of the Game when playing football"

When they dive, they breach their contract, this then leads to the question of why isn’t action taken against the player by the club or the F.A?

"6. Obligations of the Club
6.1 The Club shall:
6.1.1 observe the Rules all of which (other than the Club Rules) shall take precedence over the Club Rules"

Why don’t the Referee book players for diving
"Cautionable Offences
1. is guilty of unsporting behaviour
3. persistently infringes the Laws of the Game"

"Memorandum of Association

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LIMITED

3. The objects for which the Association is established are: -

(2) to promote the game of Association Football in every way in which The Association or the Council of The Association shall think proper, and to take all such steps as shall be deemed necessary or advisable for preventing infringements of the Rules of The Association and Laws of the Game, or other improper methods or practices in such game, and for protecting it from abuses;

(3) to make, adopt, vary, and publish Rules, Regulations, Bye-Laws and Conditions for the regulation of the said game or otherwise, and to take all such steps as shall be deemed necessary or advisable for enforcing such Rules, Regulations, Bye-Laws and Conditions;"

"E. CONDUCT

Misconduct

1. The Association may act against a Participant in respect of any “Misconduct”, which is 1. defined as being a breach of the following:
(a) the Laws of the Game;
(b) the Rules and Regulations of The Association and in particular Rules E3 to 28 below;
(c) the Statutes and Regulations of UEFA;
(d) the Statutes and Regulations of FIFA;
(e) the rules or regulations of an Affiliated Association or Competition;
(f) an order, requirement, direction or instruction of The Association."

"L. FAIR PLAY IN FOOTBALL

means that EVERYONE connected with football

• shows understanding of and respect for the Laws of the Game
• supports the belief that the game should be played in an entertaining and positive way
• behaves on and off the field in a sporting manner towards all others involved, be they players, officials or spectators, irrespective of results."

Please do something about this, football is about bringing communities together, it's about having fun and enjoying afternoon out to watch your team compete, diving just isn't right for the game.

Sign this petition and hopefully we can get the F.A to take action against these players who are ruining the beautiful game. We love our game and do not want to see it downgraded by players who have to cheat to win.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Kick Diving Out of Football Petition to English Football Association was created by and written by Lee Daniels (leed@pressworks.co.uk).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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