Adriano Banned Two Games for Diving

Good points, John. The pocketbook for all concerned needs to be hit in order for change to happen from the top down. Of course, it would be better to see it happen from the bottom up.

I agree that the video review is a positive step forward. I'm just concerned that with all the big money rolled up into some of these major competitions these days that it only takes one team to take it to the courts, which in turn puts huge pressure on the refs.

Reggie,

Well, that may be a concern (that teams would then contest the match's result) but they can't go that far. What's done is done. Nevertheless, the video review should help cut down on such instances. Personally, I'd love it if came to the point where players struggled and fought to stay on their FEET instead of risking a suspension.

But, like I've said elsewhere, I think the team should be fined as well. Adriano may be suspended but if the team had gotten a 1-1 draw out of it, those at Inter would be quietly happy with Adriano for "taking one for the team". I think the league should further and fine the Team and donate the player's pay to charity during the suspension.

Money talks and if Inter had to pay a fine of, say, $25,000 on top of losing Adriano for two games, Adriano's antics would be met with anger from the organization as well. And that would hit home a little harder.

It is a difficult thing to do. Obviously the ref gave a penalty based on what he saw. If Roma won the game then no big deal, but what if that penalty decides the game? Even if it doesn't it can drastically effect the course of a game.

If punishing the player after the game proves that the ref's decision was wrong, this allows teams to question if the result of the game should stand. It's a tricky area and I hope the leagues think this through carefully.

Don't get me wrong, I love seeing players punished for diving or violent and unsportsmanlike conduct that might escape the ref's attention. I just don't want to see situations where games are either (a) held up while waiting for video review, or (b) have to be replayed because an incorrect decision resulted in a goal.

I think that's an extremely clear dive. I like the ruling and I like the after-game match review. I would only be concerned when it is a close call. I think you should only suspsend a player when there was obviously no contact made and it was an obvious dive (like Adriano's above). If there was contact then I think the referee's in-game call should stand.

although they are funny to look at, i've already been a victim of an undeserved yellow card and penalty. and it ain't a good feeling. murder him, i say.

Damn right.
After each match, a match video review.
Where absolutely clear, punishment should be handed down.
Once and for all remove this blight on the game.

I think it's a good rule to replicate across leagues, but diving certainly isn't the worst thing in football. Violent conduct is far worse. At least this way, they'll think twice before hitting the carpet.

Players need to be punished for this kind of crap. The worst thing about the sport IMO is the diving and theatrics. It's disgraceful.

damn, all the Roma players were up on that refs FACE. I was a little scared of what was goin to happen to him, though he would deserved what he got.

Can the league also give out suspensions for the assclowns who wave their finger inches from the ref's face? Those poor bastiges have so little respect from the players to begin with, but at what point do certain leagues (I wont name names, Brazil! Italy!) just get rid of refs altogether and let the players bring lawyers onto the field after every dive/hack?

If MLS is going to punish retro elbows than I think this is smart ruling...had Roma not one the game that would have been a hard dive for them to swallow.

That is a great ruling...