Everton supporters have expressed their annoyance at an article by journalist, Paul Joyce, on Richarlison.
The article for the Times stated that the Brazilian has a tendency for diving and that Toffees manager, Marco Silva, should do something to put a stop to it.
Everton supporters were quick to jump in defence of their attacker, branding it a wider problem as opposed to laying the blame solely on Richarlison’s shoulders.
You’re not wrong, but singling him out seems unfair when there’s a number of players I can think of that dive and actually do get awarded penalties/free kicks for it.
— Everton Blue Army (@EvertonBlueArmy) November 5, 2019
Difference is he’s actually getting fouled, yes he does go down easily but still getting fouled
— Simon Joseph Villiers (@simonjv91) November 5, 2019
Agreed. I now expect something similar written about another teams players across the park. I’ll wait.
— PF (@PeterFearns) November 5, 2019
Really strange focus to take here
— Rob R (@robr7373) November 5, 2019
What a joke
— Tom Glyn (@tomosglynowen) November 5, 2019
The 22-year-old has been embroiled in diving controversy previously, having narrowly escaped a retrospective ban for theatrics during the Brazilian’s time with Watford (per Telegraph).
Other supporters took disgruntlement towards Joyce’s piece due to the perceived ignorance towards Liverpool players doing the same, which was called out by Pep Guardiola over the weekend (per Liverpool Echo).
Ah cheap easy shot. Who was the player from Merseyside booked for diving this weekend Paul?
— john (@whartoefc) November 5, 2019
Where’s the article on Mane’s diving or even Salah’s??
— Will (@WAJG_96) November 5, 2019
Doesn’t seem to effect mane & Salah
— SL-EFC (@EfcSl) November 5, 2019
What do we think?
Wherever diving is being performed in football, it should be highlighted and stamped out from the game.
However, it does seem odd that only the theatrics of Richarlison are being discussed when it was a big talking point of the Toffees’ noisy neighbours in the same weekend (via Liverpool Echo).