Ashley Young has a bad reputation for diving, and many didn't think it would take the Manchester United winger long to get himself a yellow for simulation this season. In his side's weekend clash against Crystal Palace, he was indeed caught red-handed by referee Jon Moss - who subsequently booked the United man for diving. Following the game, manager David Moyes revealed how he won't tolerate diving in any form, and he will relay the very same message to Young. Ashley Young, an England international, has been guilty of numerous dives in the last 12 months - most notably against Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. When side-stepping a challenge from a defender, Young always appears to leave his trailing leg out to make contact with the defender, before going down and claiming a penalty. He's gotten away with it just as many as he's conned the referee in recent times, and many want simulation clamped down upon. Referees have been wiser to it of late, but is a yellow card enough punishment for obvious cheating? Why not go a step further and award a straight red if the referee is confident it's simulation? Surely the harsher punishment would put an end to diving, and would make serial offenders think twice before going down easily? Despite having seen Young pick up a yellow card only a day before for diving, Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak was given a second yellow for the same offence on Sunday, and will now miss the side's next game as a result. It is expected the relevant authorities will review the punitive measures for diving this season, to see if there is anything they can do to act as a better deterrent. Diving is becoming a virus in the modern game, and it needs to be eradicated.
Crippy Cooke, 23, is a freelance Football Writer contributing to What Culture. He's had work featured on Zoo, MSN, London 24, The Telegraph, The Huffington Post, and was recently named Writer of the Year on FTBpro - while also a nominee for Best Male Blog in the Football Blogging Awards.
