Ferdinand wants an end to diving

Les Ferdinand says plans to review video footage and issue strong bans for simulation would ‘eradicate’ diving from the Premier League.

The Football Association are discussing the option of using video replays to retrospectively punish players after matches, something that could come into force next season.

The 46-year-old former Newcastle and Tottenham striker believes the introduction of such initiatives would be a successful way of combating the ‘ugly’ problem that has become a big talking point in football.

“If you ban these divers for a few matches then that will soon eradicate this problem,” he told The Sun.

“It is becoming part of the game and it really needs to be a problem we are well rid of – and this would help do that.

“Let’s face it, diving is rearing its ugly head every week or so. And what we have to do is get back to when people would only go down if they were on the end of a hard tackle.”

Numerous players have been accused of diving this season but some of them, like Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, who has been booked five times for simulation, insist they are just trying to avoid injury and not win a free kick.

Spurs coach Ferdinand defended players in the Welshman’s situation, and insisted that video evidence would enable the FA to single out the blatant divers.

“There is one problem – that is when players are running at such pace that they need to jump out of the way to avoid serious injury,” he said.

“That’s a separate issue. So it’s about making sure retrospective action just targets the blatant dives. They are the ones we are talking about that need to get stamped out.”

Ferdinand is among the top-10 highest all-time Premier League scorers with 149 goals in 347 appearances.