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Football: English FA approves retrospective bans for diving

Players will face a two-match retrospective ban for diving from the start of next season after the English Football Association

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15:  Referee Lee Mason attempts to stop Pedro of Chelsea and Stefano Okaka of Watford from clashing during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by Shaun B
Shaun BotterillGetty Images

Players will face a two-match retrospective ban for diving from the start of next season after the English Football Association (FA) approved a new rule to combat simulation in an annual general meeting on Thursday.

Under the new regulations, incidents involving players who deceive a match official into awarding their team a penalty or sending off an opponent can be reviewed by a three-man independent panel.

"This process would be similar to the one used now for a red card offence (violent conduct/serious foul play/spitting at an opponent) which was not seen at the time by the match officials but caught on camera," the FA said in a statement.

Manchester United's Eric Bailly with referee Mike Dean after he awarded a penalty to Southampton.
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Manchester United's Eric Bailly with referee Mike Dean after he awarded a penalty to Southampton.John SibleyREUTERS

The FA will only be able to impose the ban if the panel's decision is unanimous. The panel will consist of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player.

"Should a charge of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official' be admitted or found proven, the Independent Regulatory Commission will have the power to rescind the caution or dismissal received by the opposing player as a result of the simulation if it chooses to do so."