Quote Originally Posted by opus View Post
Well, you need replays for that. Soccer isn't played in ProSeries only, in fact the majority of players and referees do that as amateurs (correct word/spelling?). Would you apply that rule for them too? The needed resources (like equipment and manning!) isn't available in those leagues!
I was exaggerating somewhat when talking of life bans and Messi being the low-water mark but there should certainly be consequences. I'm not especially a soccer fan myself, nor any other type of football for that matter, but I believe that, at the top level at least, there are rules against diving but I think that they should probably be more severe. There's a bit of acting in every sport but, from what I've seen, soccer players take the cake. Even when there is genuine contact they roll around like they're dying when footballers in contact codes get worse many times over in a game and don't even blink. At the top level, where players should be held to a higher standard and you do have the opportunity to look more closely, it should be an instant red card and repeat offenders should get suspensions. In my experience, the #1 criticism of soccer is that the players are soft cry-babies. I admire their skill greatly but I feel like kicking them myself when I see that.