Head First...

The FIFA under 20 Men's world cup wrapped up yesterday in Toronto and while I enjoyed the tournament there is certainly no shame in some of these players. There is no debate that soccer players are good athletes and that it is the most widely played, therefore popular, sport in the world. But that being said, why do they bring shame to their country and themselves by flopping around on the pitch like they had been shot with a deer rifle. The Czech Republic whose style I enjoy, a tough, physical, tight checking game produced no shortage of flips, trips and 10.0 dives from the South American side, who use this as an obvious tactic being a smaller side. Being a small guy myself I feel I can comment fairly on this matter, and can honestly say I found no pride in doing this when I played soccer, and it is dishonest and unnecessary. Perhaps I have been brain washed and sucked in by North American sports, but if any and I mean ANY NFL or NHL player tried these stunts they'd be on the next train back to the minors. The 'new' NHL rules are already starting to see an increase in guys going down more easily or letting go of a stick because they can get the call which I also disagree with, but this is noting in comparison to the absolute art form of the soccer player who cries bloody murder and acts as if his leg is broken only to return to the pitch and run at full speed mere seconds later. The young man who scored the Czech goal is a perfect example. He was bumped ever so slightly by an Argentinian defend and went down like a house of cards. This was a disgusting scene to say the least. The usually honest Czech side succumb to the call of the ref as they saw it was to their advantage which simply leads to more diving, and less fair play. Good on Craig Forrest of CBC for calling the players on this, and wanting the game to be about skill not acting. Other than this it was nice to see some high talent soccer and excellent fan support from the Canadian people, and people from all over the world. Let's keep the beautiful game that way and leave acting to the professionals, shall we.