Fifa allows use of video evidence to ban divers

FIFA will no longer stand in the way of national associations using video evidence to ban players for diving.

The Scottish Football Association was foiled in its attempt to bring in retrospective punishment for players who fake being fouled two years ago - on the grounds that it was not permitted under the current FIFA regulations.

The world governing body will not step in, however, to prevent the Australian football federation (FFA) banning two players for two matches each for winning penalties by diving.

FIFA's view now is that individual associations can impose such bans under their own disciplinary rules. FFA spokesman Rod Allen explained yesterday: "We deem diving as a serious issue in the game and something we feel strongly about. We hope that with serious sanction it will be a deterrent. We want to stamp it out."

Allen said the FFA had modelled their disciplinary regulations on UEFA's after the European body last year charged Arsenal striker Eduardo for diving to win a penalty in a Champions League match against Celtic, although he later won his appeal. "It is a misconduct charge for the players - our regulations allow our match review panel to right wrongs they see that happened on the pitch."

If the diving leads to a major disadvantage to the other team - in both Australian cases the penalties were scored and in one the goalkeeper was red-carded - guilty players face two-week bans.

Perth Glory striker Michael Baird and Central Coast midfielder Patricio Perez became the first players to be suspended under the rules, although their clubs both protested against the bans.

Former SFA chief executive Gordon Smith urged FIFA in May 2008 to introduce retrospective punishment for players who had dived but a motion was rejected when the International FA Board - the game's rulemaking body - met in Gleneagles.