Simulation: The Beautiful Game, Played In A Horrible Way..

   Football is the most popular sport in the world, with some of the most skilled competitors and best athlete's in any sport taking part. A sport in which some players loved so much that they literally died playing it (Marc Vivien Foe and Daniel Jarque to name two). It's a game that when played at it's best and most beautiful is so entertaining and unpredictable that you daren't take your eyes off it from fear that you may miss a game changing decision. However, in everything amazing, there is always a small group of individuals who ruin the fun for everyone else.

   Simulation is a growing topic in football, which is getting more and more publicity as the days go by and seasons pass. It's always happened in football, but more so in the last 3 seasons or so. The first high profile case was Brazilian born Croatian striker Eduardo decided to take a tumble in the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Celtic. He went down under no contact at all, and conned the referee into giving his side a penalty. Arsenal went on to go through comfortably in the end, but Eduardo's dive was what took the headlines over both legs and the rest of Arsenal and Eduardo's campaign. Celtic made a complaint to UEFA, who responded by handing the Arsenal hitman a two-match ban for 'deceiving the referee'. At that point, the football world thought that finally these cheaters were going to get their comeuppance. However, nearly 3 seasons on, we're still seeing it occur in the game we all love. In fact, it's so bad that it's almost becoming expected in games, and while the FA would rather charge players for 'tweeting' than diving, an end to this doesn't seem likely any time soon.

Eduardo takes a dive for Arsenal, winning a penalty for his side while conning the referee in the process.

   Last month, fans and pundits alike were treated to the fantastic news that we would be able to witness 4 'El Clasico' matches within the space of just 18 days. 1 league match, 1 King's Cup Final and a two legged Champions League Semi-Final. Not many bigger stages possible for a series of matches, regarded as two of the best teams in the world competing for National Pride, bragging rights and trophies. Two of the best managers in world football, two of the greatest starting XI's in world football meant that this series of games had all the makings to be a terrific occasion for every football fan in the world, regardless of whether they were a Barcelona fan, Real Madrid fan or just a neutral. However, what happened in the first 3 of these 4 games has been the complete opposite to what we all expected.

   The first game was the league game at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid named a defensive line up, despite possessing some of the best attacking players in the world within their ranks. Barcelona went with their regular, expected line up. The stage was set for a fantastic game of football, especially with the league table as it was and the result in the reverse fixture earlier in the season (Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid). However, what ensued was a game filled with "fouls", complaining and whining to the referee. Barcelona players rushed around the referee at every given opportunity in order to try and gain an advantage, and players to the floor rolling around as if they were on fire at the faintest of touches. Real Madrid weren't much better, with players rolling around trying to get fans riled up and onto their side even more so. The game ended with Real Madrid having 10 men and both side's goals coming from the penalty spot controversially. Real Madrid's penalty kick came with 8 minutes to go, when Marcelo ran through and looked to be clipped by Dani Alves, although video replays showed that contact was minimal and Marcelo could easily have stayed on his feet.

   The second game was the Copa Del Rey final, played at the Mestalla in Valencia. This game was much more of the same, with 50 fouls in total (split 26-24) and only 1 goal in 120 minutes of football. Ronaldo scored the goal in extra time, a sublime header into the top corner from 12 yards out. Once again Real Madrid finished up with 10 men after Angel Di Maria was sent off in the dying minutes of the game after a wreckless tackle on Messi earned him a second yellow card.

   The third game of the four game series was the 1st leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final, once again at the Bernabeu. This was a fiery affair with 3 red cards and a 2-0 win for the visitors after a controversial red card. It all kicked off midway through the first half when Pedro ran into Alvaro Arbeloa, and proceeded to roll around on the floor as if he'd been shot. Barcelona players/staff began screaming at the officials almost demanding a red card for the Real Madrid defender. After that all hell broke loose, with Sergio Busquets at the centre of it. Lassana Diarra backed into Busquets and put his hand on the Barcelona man's chest, however Busquets suddenly collapsed to the floor in a heap clutching at his face - and getting Diarra booked in the process. At half time, the two teams brawled on their way down the tunnel, which resulted in Barcelona's substitute goalkeeper getting sent off and Sergio Busquets allegedly calling Marcelo a 'monkey' - an incident which has since been reported and thrown out by Real Madrid and UEFA respectively. The Portuguese hardman went in for the ball, foot up level with Alves' (although admittedly his studs were showing) and brushed the shin of Dani Alves. For some reason though, the Barcelona man decided to collapse in a heap to the floor, and clutch his shin while constantly rolling around on the floor. No less than 7 Barcelona players rushed around the referee waving imaginary cards and screaming for Pepe to get sent off, including Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes who had sprinted 30 yards to state his case. It clearly worked as referee Wolfgang Stark sent off Pepe.

Pepe had managed to keep Lionel Messi quiet all night, but as soon as he was sent off Messi ran riot scoring a tap in from 4 yards out and a magical goal which saw him dance past 5 Real Madrid players before slotting past Casillas with his 'weaker' foot.

   Two sensational goals in two seperate games, however all 3 games are remembered for different forms of simulation. Surely, by punishing players every time they dive/simulate they will eventually get the message and stop diving. So how about it FA, FIFA and UEFA. Instead of clamping down on inappropriate 'tweets' and language, crack down on the real matters at hand. Ban anyone that simulates for 3 games, and within a month it would be gone. Sounds simple enough to me...