FA to introduce retrospective action for diving

Cape Town - The Football Association has announced it will crack down on simulation and the feigning of injury next season by taking retrospective action.

A new offence called the 'Successful Deception of a Match Official' comes into effect for the 2017/18 campaign, where a panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player will review footage and advise the FA on whether the offending player is guilty.

The governing body's Fast Track system allows for punishment to be meted out retrospectively in cases where the incident led to a penalty or a dismissal, with guilty parties receiving a two-match ban.

The FA added in a statement: "Although attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled is a cautionable offence for unsporting behaviour, the fact that the act of simulation has succeeded in deceiving a match official and, therefore, led to a penalty and/or dismissal, justifies a more severe penalty which would act as a deterrent.

"Should a charge of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official' be admitted or found proven, the Independent Regulatory Commission will have the power to rescind the caution or dismissal received by the opposing player as a result of the simulation if it chooses to do so."