The Football Association will punish simulation with retrospective action as of next season – and Arsenal supporters were quick to mock Tottenham ace Dele Alli on Twitter.
The FA confirmed on their official website that they are introducing rules for next season in which players will receive a two-match ban under the new offence of “Successful Deception of a Match Official’.
It revealed that a panel of one ex-match official, one ex-manger and one ex-player will review the footage and make a decision on whether it adheres to the simulation guidelines, with a unanimous agreement the only way a player could be charged.
Diving in football has become a huge problem in the game during recent memory, but the FA have moved to stamp it out.
Spurs’ Alli is just one of several players to be found guilty of simulation this season and he was heavily criticised following an incident in December.
The 21-year-old went down in the 18-yard box under no contact to win his side a penalty against Swansea and under the new rules he could face retrospective action.
Arsenal fans couldn’t resist taunting Alli on social media about the new FA ruling and joked he will miss large parts of the season as a result.
Here is a selection of their messages on Twitter:
Spurs are screwed next season. Wembley for one, then Alli getting retrospective simulation bans most games..
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) May 18, 2017
Pray for Dele Alli. https://t.co/LWjYcj3AZL
— ArsenalCentral.com (@AFCCentralHQ) May 18, 2017
2 match retrospective ban for divers starting next season. That'll mean Dele Alli only plays 13 league games next season
— Kris (@kris_afc) May 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/CTArsenal/status/865216394358648832
Dele Alli will miss 20 games https://t.co/3RJOKkHbAr
— Barry ??FC (@BarryArsenal7) May 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/Arsene_FC_/status/865166174836883456
@davidGAAdawson1 @spavett6 That's Alli & Kane dealt with. https://t.co/POWMRk8vdC
— Barry ? (@AFCBarry74) May 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/Dan_AFC94/status/865146352279355392
The FA will hope their new regulations will deter players from simulation to gain an advantage.
Alli will be one of several players under the spotlight at the beginning of next season and a number of them will have to clean up their act or face the consequences.