Simulation (Diving)

Simulation is when a player deliberately falls, feigns injury, or exaggerates contact to deceive the referee. It is punishable by a yellow card — and VAR can recommend a booking even after play has continued.

The full rule

Simulation — commonly called diving — is an attempt to gain an unfair advantage by deceiving the referee into awarding a free kick or penalty. The key question is whether the contact was sufficient to cause the fall. Light contact that a player uses as an excuse to go to ground is still simulation. No contact at all is clear simulation. A player who runs into a stationary defender and falls is also simulating — the attacker cannot manufacture contact and claim a foul. VAR reviews simulation incidents and can recommend a yellow card retrospectively even after play has continued. The referee uses normal speed replays to judge simulation — slow motion is deliberately avoided because it makes natural reactions look unnatural.

Key points

✓Simulation results in a yellow card for the offending player
✓Some contact does not excuse an exaggerated fall — it must be sufficient to cause it
✓No contact at all is clear simulation — always book the player
✓Running into a stationary defender and falling is simulation by the attacker
✓VAR can intervene and recommend a yellow card retrospectively
✓Referees use normal speed replays for simulation — not slow motion
✓Goalkeepers can also be booked for simulation inside the area
✓A second yellow for simulation in the same match results in a red card

Scenarios

Scenario 1

Light contact used to win a penalty

No penalty

An attacker feels a slight touch from a defender inside the area and throws themselves to the ground dramatically.

Correct call: Yellow card for simulation, no penalty. The contact was insufficient to cause the fall.

Common mistake: Awarding the penalty because there was some contact. Contact alone does not justify going to ground if it was not enough to cause a fall.

Scenario 2

Attacker runs into stationary defender

No foul

An attacker dribbles toward a defender who is standing still with arms tucked. The attacker runs into them and falls.

Correct call: No foul — and potentially a yellow card for simulation. The defender was stationary and in a legitimate position. The attacker initiated the contact.

Common mistake: Giving a foul because the attacker fell. The referee must identify who initiated the contact. A stationary defender with arms tucked is not fouling.

Scenario 3

Attacker trips over own feet and appeals

No penalty

An attacker loses their footing with no defender nearby and appeals for a penalty.

Correct call: Yellow card for simulation. There was no contact at all.

Common mistake: Not booking the player and simply waving play on. Simulation without any contact should always be punished with a caution.

Scenario 4

VAR reviews incident after play continues

No penalty

A player appears to dive in the penalty area. The referee waves play on. VAR reviews the incident.

Correct call: VAR can recommend a yellow card for simulation even after play has continued. The referee goes to the monitor, reviews at normal speed, and books the player at the next stoppage.

Common mistake: Assuming that because the referee already made a decision and play continued, nothing can be done. VAR can act on simulation retrospectively.

Scenario 5

Genuine contact but exaggerated reaction

Foul

A defender makes contact with an attacker's ankle. The attacker spins dramatically and falls holding their face.

Correct call: The reaction is disproportionate to the contact. Even if there was a foul, the exaggeration is unsporting behaviour. Referee can give the free kick and still caution the attacker for the exaggerated reaction.

Common mistake: Not addressing the exaggerated reaction. A foul and a caution for simulation can both be given for the same incident if the reaction was grossly disproportionate.