Young's dive was worse than a leg-breaking tackle... and deserved a straight red, claims Parish

Young's dive was worse than a leg-breaking tackle... and deserved a straight red, claims Parish

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has spoken out against diving by claiming acts of simulation are worse than 'so-called leg-breaking tackles' and deserve an instant red card.
Manchester United forward Ashley Young was booked for diving before winning a dubious penalty that also saw Palace defender Kagisho Dikgacoi sent off at the weekend.
Parish told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'I think the referee was very brave on Saturday. He made some big calls. Giving a yellow card to a player at Old Trafford for diving is a massive call.'

Dubious: Ashley Young went down under pressure on the edge of the box and a penalty was awarded

'Sometimes the so-called leg breaking tackle can be in the heat of the moment. It's not intended and yet you get a straight red for it. There's a certain cynicism to diving in the penalty area which is surely worse because there's an element that's so premeditated in trying to con the referee.

'Personally, I think these things are
worse than a full blooded challenge that is not intended to hurt somebody but is just a competitive challenge in the spur of the moment.'
The chairman's comments follow an email that was sent to 606 last night, which said: 'The only player in the incidents yesterday that was honest was Kagisho Dikgacoi and he's sent off and banned for the next match .

Dismissed: Kagisho Dikgacoi (obscured) was issued a red card by referee Jon Moss because of the alleged foul

Decisive: Robin van Persie rolled home from the spot to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time

'Ashley Young's dive and the appeal before put pressure on the ref to give a subsequent penalty that was certainly outside the area and probably wasn't even a foul.

'Ashley Young has a yellow card and three points and we have no points and one less player to pick from for the next game.

'For me if preventing a goalscoring opportunity is a straight red then trying to create one by cheating should be a straight red also .

Different approaches: Holloway (left) declined to comment while Moyes (right) said he would speak to Young

'Might have cost us a point that might keep us up .Need to get some momentum behind a straight red for a dive. :)'
Former referee Graham Poll also used his Sportsmail column to support stronger punishments for simulation, insisting Young should be banned for FIVE games in an effort to eradicate diving from the game.
Although Palace manager Ian Holoway declined to make comments he 'could not afford', United boss David Moyes insisted he would speak to the player  - and warn him that he will not tolerate cheating.

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