'Irritated' Blatter says 'fed up' with 'preposterous' simulation, 'extravagant' diving by footballers

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that he is 'fed up' with the 'preposterous' simulation and 'extravagant' diving by players and has ordered the referees to 'solve the problems'.

Blatter was angry over the fact that the practices, which are treated scornfully in other sporting disciplines, have become a normal and accepted part of football nowadays, and said that even though simulation is unfair and looks preposterous when viewed in a replay, it is also widely regarded as smart or as a harmless misdemeanour.

According to Sport24, Blatter also branded winning of controversial penalties by extravagant diving in the box as 'deeply irritating', adding that at such times, the touchline appears to have acquired powers of revival which even leading medical specialists cannot explain.

Blatter ordered the referees to make sure that the opposing team is not required to put the ball into touch if a player is lying on the floor, adding that players should be made to wait before returning to the pitch if the referee believed they had feigned injury.

Blatter further said that cutting out this kind of cheating is also a matter of respect towards opponents and fans, and ultimately one of self-respect as a professional and role model.