Yes Matt ....... The rules do need revision.
If a forward can get himself brought down in the area he gets a huge reward. A penalty - almost certain goal. Opposition reduced to ten men - huge advantage for the rest of the game, massively increasing his side's chances of winning. If you wanted to frame a rule to encourage diving in the box you couldn't make a better job. It's a cheat's charter, that ensures referees are regularly pilloried, become the centre of attention, and often decide games. And if it is allowed to continue it will totally change the game. The tackle will simply consign itself to the past. Why should any player learn to use it when the risks are so enormous. And once players stop tackling, why would anyone dribble? Youngsters will learn a passing game that may become dizzyingly complex, but it won't really be football.
If a forward can get himself brought down in the area he gets a huge reward. A penalty - almost certain goal. Opposition reduced to ten men - huge advantage for the rest of the game, massively increasing his side's chances of winning. If you wanted to frame a rule to encourage diving in the box you couldn't make a better job. It's a cheat's charter, that ensures referees are regularly pilloried, become the centre of attention, and often decide games. And if it is allowed to continue it will totally change the game. The tackle will simply consign itself to the past. Why should any player learn to use it when the risks are so enormous. And once players stop tackling, why would anyone dribble? Youngsters will learn a passing game that may become dizzyingly complex, but it won't really be football.