Scotland showing up FIFA

[BartonFox]

First John MacBeth called out FIFA on the corruption in the Caribbean and Africa and now new SFA supremo Gordon Smith's plan to stamp out cheating faces veto because Sepp and his cronies are too scared to do anything.

Fifa has warned the Scottish FA that its plan to use video evidence to hand out retrospective yellow cards for diving would contravene the rules.

The world governing body said that room for retrospective action was limited.

"This refers specifically to incidents which have escaped the match officials' attention," Fifa said in a statement.

"According to the Fifa disciplinary code, article 79, the disciplinary decisions taken by the ref on the field of play during a match are final."

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith's first major initiative since taking up his post could now be thwarted by the parent body.

Smith announced on Wednesday the introduction of a pilot scheme where referees would watch DVDs of their games and decide if any acts of simulation warrant cautions.

I am confident that Fifa will see the benefits in supporting an initiative that aims to crack down on cheats in football

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith

He aims to introduce the scheme fully in January after a trial.

Fifa suggests that it would first have to propose a rule change to the International FA Board, but that does not meet until March.

There is no guarantee either that they would get the rule change through what is a notoriously conservative body.

"Fifa takes very seriously the matter of simulation and of any form of cheating in football and actively supports and participates in many initiatives to promote fair play and eliminate cheating from our sport," it said.

"Nevertheless, regarding this specific initiative, only in certain circumstances, according to article 84, can a disciplinary committee apply certain measures.

MY SPORT: DEBATE

Does anyone else think that this could lead to a massive scandal in football?

GunnerLot

"Taking this into account, if a referee has seen an incident during a match but determined that it was not a case of simulation, this decision taken by the referee should be considered final."

But Smith hopes to persuade Fifa that his scheme deserves at least a trial.

"I will happily discuss our plan with Fifa to explain the thinking behind it and what we hope to achieve," said the former Brighton and Rangers forward.

"I am confident that they will see the benefits in supporting an initiative that aims to crack down on cheats in football and eradicate a widespread problem.

"This is a serious issue that needs to be confronted and Scottish football could set the standard for many other countries whose game is also suffering.

"It is important to remember that we are trying this in-house to begin with so that any issues such as this can be ironed out by a working party before the system is formally introduced in January."

Well f'ck them, I know the standard of the game back home isn't all that but at least they are trying to do something to better it both on and off the park now.

Can't wait for the next beach soccer tourne that'll promote the integrity of the game more than stopping diving and cheating.

If we all awoke tomorrow to find that the FIFA hierarchy had snuffed it, it would be a great day for football.

[lookwhaticando]

I find it highly distasteful that FIFA would invalidate a serious attempt to stop cheating on a mere technicality/interpretation.

Cheating is wrong and should be stopped - if it requires a slight change in the disciplinary code, then so be it.

[act smiley]

I think they're basically scared that if for example, a team stays up because of a penalty that was later determined to be a dive and a yellow was retrospectively awarded for, they'd see a shedload of legal action going on. Still should happen, though.

[Phube]

Too true Barton.

I think all right thinking Footy Ascociations (can never spell that word!! ) should resign from FIFA and start a corruption free one, which actually has Football, not money making as it's priority!!

[davieG]

Too true Barton.

I think all right thinking Footy Ascociations (can never spell that word!! ) should resign from FIFA and start a corruption free one, which actually has Football, not money making as it's priority!!

Unfortunately many FAs are just as bad, The FA themselves are just a bunch of lilly livered sycophants to the Premier League.

Best of luck to SFA

[Joe.]

Yeah I applaud the Scots for this idea. Cheating in football has got incredible now and something needs to be done about it. Seeing as the world governing bodies won't, somebody's got to.

[breadandcheese]

Part of it is a cultural thing. We view diving and injury faking as virtually the worst crime of gamesmanship in football.

Compare that to Brazil, where they view a tactical foul as one of the most despicable acts of cheating, far worse than diving.

I know the times I've applauded one of our players bringing someone down to stop a quick-break against us, or to buy us time to reorganise, yet have been absolutely incensed at a player diving or time wasting by feigning injury.

I guess it's a case of each culture has a different take on sportsmanship.

Personally, and I'm sure the Scottish FA are delighted to know, I think good on the Scottish FA for trying to clamp down on the divers.

[BartonFox]

Unfortunately many FAs are just as bad, The FA themselves are just a bunch of lilly livered sycophants to the Premier League.

Best of luck to SFA

We have the same, SFA pandering to the SPL and Bigot Brothers instead of sorting out or domestic woes, but at least Smith is trying to do something about an ill in the game.