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We shrug and change the subject when it?s our own boy doing the divin. We accept whatever rewards come to our side from the cheating. I support Chelsea, season ticket, well with College fees allowing etc, when Drogba goes down with no contact, I tell myself he?s too fast for his boots.

Arsene Wenger?s response to Eduardo?s dive: ?I do not go as far to say Eduardo dived. He went down, for what reason I do not know.? (Reasonable explanations: Polish goalkeepers are famous for being able to tackle players with their minds. That wacky prankster Bendtner tied Eduardo?s bootlaces together before the play. Tottenham fans snuck in during the night and released a pack of rabid gophers. Eduardo was doing an airplane impersonation to remind people to Fly Emirates.)

But when we are honest we?d rather see our own player stay up and earn the goal. Diving is an ugly cancer and should be surgically removed from the beautiful game.

Retroactive punishment is the best answer. I don?t want to see in match replays introduced. Ever. The fact that football matches keep moving is a bragging point over sports that have countless stoppages for replay and call review. Extra officials can help (already being tested in the Europa league), but they will still miss some angles and they will still be as fallible as the officials already calling matches.

Retroactive review should be introduced on a regular basis. This is the best way to fight the problem without stopping play. Combined with extra officials, it can stifle the power of simulation.