Ferguson laments growth in simulated fouls

Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson lamented Friday that simulation by players had crept into English football in recent years, after top European coaches agreed to try to root it out.

“It’s a very difficult area. In my experience in English football over the past 15 years it has crept into the game, there’s no doubt that’s not acceptable,” he told journalists.

Ferguson, one of the participants in the Elite Club Coaches Forum at European football’s governing body UEFA said it was one of the top general issues raised at the meeting.

“We all agreed that education is the best way forward, from the youth team to the first team,” he said.

“No one coach is proud that players simulate to get a decision,” Ferguson added, especially because of its impact on youngsters.

Arsenal announced on Thursday that they will appeal against UEFA’s decision to ban their striker Eduardo for two matches for allegedly diving to win a penalty against Celtic in a Champions League qualifier and “deceiving the referee”.

UEFA Technical Director Andy Roxburgh said Eduardo’s specific case was not discussed during the forum, in which Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger also took part.

Asked about the Eduardo sanction, Ferguson described it as a “big example,” even though he agreed with Arsenal’s stance in protecting its players and the difficulty of identifying the limits to disciplining simulation.

“It’s always difficult because I see it every week now, I see some guy dive,” Ferguson acknowledged.

“They (referees) can’t pick every instance, it’s impossible, there’d be no players left, but that’s the way it’s going.”

However, Ferguson insisted that high profile cases had to be tackled.

“UEFA’s position, and I tend to agree with it, is that there’s such a high profile competition now, that we have to make sure it’s done in the fairest possible way.

“In the moral high ground, I have to agree that something needs to be done. I wouldn’t be pleased if my player did that, but I wouldn’t say it in public.”

Roxburgh said the experimental use of two extra match officials on the touchline in this season’s Europa League might help referees spot cases of simulation and act as a deterrent.