Moyes backs video panel to stamp out dive cheats
MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes has called for retrospective punishment for simulation and admitted he may not be able to stop winger Ashley Young from diving again.
Young was booked for going to ground against Crystal Palace on Saturday, the latest in a series of diving controversies to embroil the England international since his move to United.
Moyes, who takes charge of his first Champions League match as United boss tonight against Bayer Leverkusen, said he had urged the 28-year-old to refrain from feigning fouls.
But the former Everton manager conceded he could only do so much and insisted that the introduction of retrospective sanctions for diving would be a significant step towards stamping it out.
“You can never be sure it won’t happen again but I have had a word with him privately,” said Moyes, who made headlines last season by accusing Liverpool’s Luis Suarez of diving.
“I said after the game and I have said for many years that diving is something we should have retrospective video for.
“That would help referees no end. It is really difficult at times. Moving from Everton to Manchester United doesn’t change my views on that.”
Young, who went on to win a penalty in the 2-0 win over Palace, was accused of diving in matches against Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa during the 2012-13 season. United defender Rio Ferdinand supported his manager’s call for video evidence, but on the proviso that it also be incorporated into the rulebooks of other European divisions as well as the Champions League.
“If it’s going to happen it’s got to happen across the board, not just in our league,” said Ferdinand.
“It’s difficult for a referee to look at a situation and say ‘yes he dived’ or ‘no he didn’t’ or ‘there was contact’. So retrospective viewing and punishments may be the way to go.”
Moyes is set to be without forward Danny Welbeck, who has a knee injury, and Belgian youngster Adnan Januzaj, who impressed at the weekend but has not yet been registered for the competition.
Defender Phil Jones is a doubt with an ankle problem, while forward Wayne Rooney, who scored his first goal of the season against Palace, is set to play while wearing a band to protect his head injury.
COULD IT HAPPEN?
■ In Scotland players can be banned for diving if accused and subsequently found guilty at tribunals
■ England’s Football Association this year introduced retrospective action for violent incidents, if officials may not have seen it, but not for diving