FA to punish simulation with retrospective action from next season

The Football Association have announced it will punish simulation with retrospective action from next season.

Players found guilty of simulation under the new offence of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official' will receive a two-match ban.

The FA revealed that retrospective action could be taken:

• Where an alleged act leads to a penalty

• Where an alleged act leads to a straight red card for an opponent

• Where an alleged act leads to a dismissal of an opponent [where the alleged act led to the opponent receiving either one of the two cautions]

A panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player will be asked to review all available video footage of the incident independently of one another and then advise the FA as to whether they believe it was an offence of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official'.

Only in circumstances where the panel come to a unanimous agreement would the FA charge the individual concerned.

Should a charge 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.

Sky Sports readers, voting in an online poll earlier this year, said retrospective punishment for diving was the top rule change they would like to see implemented in football.