Five worst dives in football

Diving (or ‘simulation’ as it is now known as) is an unfortunate part of the beautiful game. Too often we see players go down too easily just looking for the foul. Some players indulge in it more than others, but almost every player has dived at some point of his career.

Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at what I rate as 5 of the worst dives in recent memory. Bear in mind that diving is a bit of a common practice so picking out 5 of the worst incidents is somewhat easy yet hard at the same time. Bear in mind that the numbering does not represent a ranking system:

1) Sergio Busquets vs. Inter Milan, 28th April 2010 – The first incident that brought Busquets into the limelight for all the wrong reasons. The Barcelona midfielder went down in pain after Thiago Motta supposedly raised an arm that caught him in the face. As a result, Motta was shown a second yellow card and was sent off. However, replays suggested there was very little contact and one camera grab even showed Busquets playing ‘peek-a-boo’ to see if the referee bought his dive or not. Busquets was slammed by various media outlets for his act of cheating that eventually turned the tie in Barcelona’s favour.

Luis Suarez puts in a rather comical dive in a desperate effort to win a penalty against Stoke City

2) Luis Suarez vs. Stoke City, 7th October 2012 – Luis Suarez is always in the news for the wrong reasons; racial abuse, taking a bite out of his rivals (literally) and even for the occasional dive. One of his worst moments was against Stoke City in a Premier League game last season. He made a good run into the box but went over rather easily when a Stoke defender stuck out a leg. The penalty wasn’t given, but it was a terrible dive to say the least. Suarez even admitted in an interview over two months after the incident that he had dived at the time because he was frustrated.

Andros Townsend going down far too easily

3) Andros Townsend vs. Chelsea, 28th September 2013 – Andros Townsend was already in hot water for supposedly diving against Swansea City to win a penalty that won Spurs the game, and he did it again against Chelsea this weekend. He was running down the right wing when Frank Lampard stuck out a leg and he went over. Mike Dean instantly brandished a yellow card (initially people thought it was for Lampard). Townsend later admitted to the dive and vowed to kick it out of his game, a refreshing change of pace from the usual feigning of innocence done by players in such situations.

Gareth Bale’s ridiculous dive vs. Aston Villa

4) Gareth Bale vs. Aston Villa, 7th October 2012 – One of those dives that was embarrassing, funny, and cringeworthy at the same time. Gareth Bale, who had already earned a reputation for being a diver, took it one step further in this match. He ran the ball past Brad Guzan but, realizing he had overrun the ball, put in a comical dive that had everyone gobsmacked. Guzan hadn’t even stuck out his foot yet the Welshman went down like he had been shot.

Ashley Young does his best Tom Daley impression vs. Crystal Palace

5) Ashley Young vs. Crystal Palace, September 14th 2013 – Ashley Young… well, there’s no real introduction needed now, is there? Young is one of the most notorious divers in modern football. This one vs. Palace was just the latest in a long line of dives put in by the Englishman. He cut in from the left wing and the minute Kagisho Dikgacoi put his leg out, Young went down. However, he was booked for simulation by referee John Moss, and rightly so. United manager David Moyes later said he would talk to him about it.