Chris Hughton has hit out against diving in the Premier League and the Norwich boss would back any campaign to reduce simulation.

Norwich City fared badly on penalty decisions last season with officials awarding the club only two spot-kicks while their opponents received seven at the other end - with fans left scratching their heads at some dubious decisions.

The Canaries boss insists the problem is not a new phenomenon, but believes the global appeal of the English game has highlighted the issue.

He said: "There are so many good things in this Premier League in terms of entertainment but one area of the game that annoys and frustrates me is simulation.

"That is an area I would really like to see us clamp down on. With the amount of cameras at games now it is impossible for players to get away with it so that is a campaign I would back."

Hughton admits that he does not have to tell his players not to dive because the culture of the club is already there to dissuade anyone from doing it.

"We expect our players not to dive. I don't need to tell them anything. All you can do is create a culture that you hope it doesn't happen. Certainly if I felt anything was wrong of that nature I would speak with the player."

The Canaries boss also draws a distinction between 'drawing a foul' and going down without any contact or even seeking contact from a defender in the box to win a penalty.

He added: "Of course, as a striker you might invite a challenge which results in a foul or a free kick - these days that is probably part of the game and something that has been going on for many years - but when we are talking about blatant diving or simulation that is an unwanted part of the game which, sadly, will always be there."

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