Retrospective action and the possibility of two-match bans will be enforced from next season in the Premier League as the FA looks to tackle simulation in football.
English football's governing body on Thursday announced that they would be extending its powers to punish simulation retrospectively and unveiled a new offence entitled 'Successful Deception of a Match Official'.
"Where there is clear and overwhelming evidence to suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation, and as a direct result, the offending player’s team has been awarded a penalty and/or an opposing player has been dismissed, the FA will be able to act retrospectively under its Fast Track system," the FA said today in a statement.
A three-person panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player will be asked "to review all available video footage of the incident independently of one another" and advise the FA as to whether they believe it was an offence.
Charges will be enforced when the panel return a unanimous guilty verdict.
In proven cases of simulation and/or feigning injury, the offending player will receive a two-match suspension.
"Great news," tweeted Leicester defender, Robert Huth. "Add pretending to be injured and crying when you lose and we are really getting somewhere!"
Great News, add pretending to be injured and crying when you lose and we are really getting somewhere! pic.twitter.com/z5aN7jTQDU
— robert huth (@robert_huth) May 18, 2017
Recent cases where this charge would be applicable was in Manchester United's draw with Swansea City at Old Trafford. United forward Marcus Rashford appeared to go down easily under the challenge of Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabiański.
"Replays showed the player deceived the referee," said Swansea manager Paul Clement after the game. "There's no other way to look at it."
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