Refs need to start clamping down on divers like Januzaj - or players will start taking matters into their own hands.

Adnan Januzaj understandably got the headlines after two superb goals to ensure Manchester United won at Sunderland but he was also booked for a blatant dive before he scored.
This weekend Januzaj wasn’t alone in simulating a foul to try to win a penalty or get an opponent penalised, but he was the only player whom the referee, Chris Foy, cautioned. While that trend continues, players will carry on diving even when condemned by their own managers.
In the first live game this weekend at the Etihad, where Jon Moss was struggling to keep control, Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo appeared to dive when challenged by Everton’s Seamus Coleman. Coleman was so incensed by the Manchester City man going down that he became involved in an altercation withhis opponent. The situation ended up with the two players standing head to head while the game continued, with Moss unaware of the confrontation.

In the book: Adnan Januzaj was booked for diving before scoring his match winning goals

Hitting the deck: Manchester United's Januzaj dives during the win at Sunderland

This scene is becoming more and more familiar as players feel the need to take matters into their own hands when they feel that an opponent has dived.
That would stop if referees gave a free kick immediately after a dive and issued a yellow card, as Roger East should have done to Stoke City’s Stephen Ireland when he dived blatantly at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The ‘dive’ for a foul or penalty is one example of simulation, but I also saw more incidents when players went down as if they were badly injured after a challenge when it was clear that they were not. Historically, the most blatant example of this came in the World Cup in Japan and Korea 2002 when Brazilian star Rivaldo was hit by the ball in the midriff and went down clutching his face.

Falling down: Rivaldo falls to the ground feigning injury after being hit on the leg in the 2002 World Cup

Worst example: Rivaldo lies on the floor holding his face after being struck by a ball on the leg

His Turkish opponent, Hakan Unsal, was dismissed by the Korean referee who was fooled by the underhand tactic. Rivaldo was punished with a paltry fine and Kim was not appointed to another game.
This weekend saw Hull City’s Tom Huddlestone go to ground as if struck in the face after a brush from Aston Villa’s Ashley Westwood.

Going down easily: Stoke midfielder Stephen Ireland appears to dive under a challenge from Philippe Senderos

Referee Mark Clattenburg appeared not to even give a free kick initially until Huddlestone’s reaction convinced him to stop play - and caution Westwood.
In the West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal game Laurent Koscielny made a very strange block/barge challenge in stoppage time on Baggies striker Shane Long. A decent penalty appeal was turned down by referee Lee Mason who also ignored the fact that Long was rolling around holding his face despite Koscielny’s contact being made in his back.

Spot of bother: Bryan Ruiz should have had a penalty when he went down

The impact of these different types of simulation is that referees are loath award penalties when players are actually being tripped or fouled. Look at Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz or Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, who should both have had penalties but were denied by referees confused by the fear of being duped by simulation or worn down by players going to ground far too easily. The job is tough enough without players making it harder and the PFA must act to help with this issue.
Good week for... Howard Webb, who on Monday steps out on the lawn of Buckingham Palace to referee a game between Civil Service FC and Polytechnic FC to commemorate the FA’s 150th anniversary. I am sure the game will be straightforward for Webb who missed out on a Premier League game this weekend to take this prestigious appointment.

Palace appointment: Howard Webb was refereeing at Buckingham Palace on Monday

Bad week for... less experienced referees Jon Moss and Roger East, who both appeared tentative and nervy in their performances at the Etihad and Craven Cottage respectively. It is difficult to adjust to the pace and profile of the Premier League and I hope both settle down and have better games in the coming weeks.