OpinionUnited's David Moyes diving in to stop cheating rot needs support of Fifa, Uefa
United boss's stance on widespread acts of cheating is admirable, but changing players' mindsets must be global, not just in EPL
David Moyes might be left wanting when it comes to polishing the contents of his silverware cabinet, but the Manchester United manager secured one crown this week - the unofficial anti-diving tsar.
He plunged into the never-ending debate and caused a modest tsunami that we must hope will gather force as it cascades across the footballing continents to wipe the cheats from the face of the turf.
Moyes said he would censor jackknifing Ashley Young for theatrically tumbling during their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last Saturday. But he warned the problem is now so widespread he fears Young and his fellow tombstoners have sunk too deep in their free-fall mentality to take any notice of the odd yellow card or the few grand extracted from their bulging wage packets.
So he went one radical step further. He called for video technology to be used retrospectively by a powerful Football Association disciplinary panel. "I have said for many years diving is something we should have retrospective video for. That would help referees no end," said Moyes.
Moyes has previously fined players at Everton for diving, including Phil Neville, now a member of his backroom staff at Old Trafford. And he was outspoken in his criticisms of Luis Suarez - like Young, another with a history of diving - before the Merseyside derby last season.
Fans on the terraces of all hues stand together with the United manager.