INSIGHT

IT IS getting to the stage now where contact equals foul, and that is not right. There has to be sufficient force to warrant a player going down. If not, it is diving. But what is the deterrent for diving? The new rules do not make sense — it is actually better for the player to be booked during the game and then that is the end of it. A three-match ban must be applied for all diving. Throw the book at them, especially if it happens for a third time, as is the case with Dele Alli. As it happens, I think the Erik Lamela incident was a penalty because he got his body between the man and ball. On the flip side, I also think that no contact does not equal no foul. Harry Kane was travelling at speed and the keeper lost the race, meaning Kane had to get out of the way — he did not dive. But there are too many players who are looking for contact. Alli is one, Wilfried Zaha is another. They need to be fearful of what punishment they will face.