On diving in football

Diving seems to be entrenched in football. Yet, along with assaults, diving constitutes one of the most egregious violations of competitive fairness in the game. In light of the tension between diving’s prevalence and its moral character, this article seeks to describe the nature of diving in football, with a view to correctly identifying particular cases of diving, and to explaining just what is wrong with it. We begin by considering offences under Law 12 of the Laws of the game published by The International Football Association Board. Since this law does not explain the difference between fouls and misconduct, we attempt a reconstruction. Beginning with the category of fouls, we distinguish four kinds. Moving on to misconduct, we note that one of its forms is simulation, and one form of simulation is diving. We characterize simulations (including dives) not as fouls, but as ‘essentially deceptive offences’. Having established the nature of diving, we then expand on some arguments against it, present additional reasons to condemn it, and suggest reasons in justification of anti-diving rules. We conclude this article by sketching three recommendations for future legislation and practice aimed at reducing the chances of successful diving and at deterring players from trying it.