Football FanCast columnist

When Bastian Schweinsteiger received his marching orders this week, a familiar sigh and complimentary eye-roll was witnessed by everyone looking in my direction. As it turned out, it was a louder sigh and a more catastrophic eye-roll than usual. The German was deservedly sent off, though I do challenge Jerko Leko to watch the footage of his ridiculous reaction to a light shove and not laugh.

As a Luton Town supporter and professional football cynic, after 12 games of diving, rolling, sliding and squealing, I have come to the conclusion that football will always irritate the hell out of me. The whole concept of gamesmanship, I feel, is unacceptable.

It is important for me to state that I feel there is no difference between a player falling to the ground with no contact and bustling, 6'4 striker falling to the ground when a defender merely 'shows his presence'. This is not a new phenomenon, but why do players dive? Obviously the simple answer is so the team can gain an advantage, to con the referee and eventually win the game. I believe there are two main factors to why player dive. Some would argue the players and coaches should take responsibility as to what occurs on the pitch - and while I agree to a certain extent - surely the referee and football authorities should take the responsibility.

Firstly, simulation can be stopped with one simple policy by the governing body. The simple act of diving is something that gets everyone shaking their heads disappointingly. Even if it is your team who are the perpetrators, you feel ashamed. If the FA, or UEFA, enforce, say, an automatic two match ban, or fine the player a week's wages if they watch a game back and see an act of cheating, correct me if I'm wrong, it would stop players diving instantly. The argument against this is that a player can be knocked off balance by a defenders presence, even if there is little contact. However, we can all see when a player leaves his leg trailing to initiate contact, and this is also where common sense comes into it, as anything to stop this annoying act surely would be welcomed.

Secondly, as I referred to briefly, the reason why the great game is becoming a non-contact sport. Every little bit of contact is now a first class ticket to ground and a guaranteed free-kick. I am getting fed up of witnessing the scenario where a defender is running towards his own goal line, feels a fellow human being and swiftly goes to ground. The officials have to stop this. It appears as though, for the officials, that it is a lot easier for the game to stop than risk embarrassment. The money and attention that surrounds a major football match has changed and evolved. We are now at the point where referees are afraid to use common sense, Howard Webb broke the norm last night, which I applaud. It was a contentious decision though, wasn't it?

As much as I love it, football will always be an extremely cringe worthy spectacle.

NB - Sam Hollis is competing in our Bloggers Euro Championship so if you can give his article a rating in the voting box, it would be greatly appreciated.