FIFA boss wants to stamp out the "cancer" of diving in soccer

FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce believes the Football Association should be given the powers to retrospectively punish players who dive, even if the referee fails to spot the simulation during the match. Stoke manager Tony Pulis has made several pleas for stricter punishments for simulation and his case was strengthened by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez's clear dive in their match last weekend. Pulis suggested any player guilty of diving should be given a three-match ban but with referees currently only able to show a yellow card for the offence, the FA can not do more after the event. Jim Boyce, Britain's representative on FIFA, has called for a change in the rules that would allow all of football's governing bodies to take retrospective action. He said: "I have seen several incidents recently, and I watched the latest Suarez incident two or three times, and to me it is nothing less than a form of cheating. It is becoming a little bit of a cancer within the game and I believe if it is clear to everyone that it is simulation then that person is trying to cheat and they should be severely punished for that. It can be dealt with retrospectively by disciplinary committees, and it is done so in some associations, and I believe that is the correct thing to do. It can at times be very, very difficult for referees to judge whether something is a foul or a fair tackle and if players are diving then it makes their job even harder." Luis Suarez reacted to Tony Pulis' comments in a rather evasive manner: "Everyone should focus on their own team," he said. "Those who want to talk can do so, I am not worried about what they say. They can keep talking and in the meantime I will keep on playing football and taking care of my team and what I do. Nothing else matters." Suarez is currently on international duty with Uruguay as his side will meet Argentina in a World Cup qualifying match on October 13. Here are the odds from Bet365: Argentina to win - 4/9 Draw - 16/5 Uruguay to win - 13/2