Eliminating Diving Will Take Time - Allardyce

By Mark Heys
April 7 2006

Cutting out diving from the professional game will take a serious amount of time according to Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce is backing new proposals that are aiming to clamp down on diving but says some players, especially those from foreign countries, are brought up to play the game in such a way.

"I don't think you will ever cut it out because it's ingrained in a lot of players' make up. They have been brought up (in this way) and to change a player is very difficult indeed.

"It's the old adage of teaching an old dog new tricks and it is a long arduous task trying to eliminate it."

The Wanderers cheif also states that there are far too many instances creeping in where players are looking to get their opponents sent off by purposely hounding the referee to issue a caution.

"I also think too many players are asking the referee to book a fellow professional or send them off. That is creeping in as well and needs to be addressed."