Voice Of Concern: Simulation Still an Issue In Spanish and Italian Football

When watching the UEFA Champions League tie last night between continental giants Real Madrid and AS Roma, I couldn't help but notice the vast distinction between the usual British football that the majority of us have been accustomed to on a weekly basis. The creativity from ex-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, the surging runs of Real Madrid right-back Sergio Ramos and the undoubtable brilliance of Roma legend Francesco Totti was really quite a spectacle in itself. Not that there isn't this type of greater quality in the English Premiership of course—there's a reason why many critics consider it to be the best in the world. However nonetheless, it's always interesting when watching these elite European sides going head to head.  While the different attitudes and influence towards the game was evidently different, the main thing that caught my eye was the countless amount of stoppages in play due to playacting—or what FIFA refers to as "simulation". With the ... [link]