Simulation is the polite way of referring to it. That is how it how the subject is dealt with in the Football Association rule book - but, for the majority of football fans, it will always be diving. Is it an art form? Or is it just plain cheating? The subject of diving to win penalties and free kicks has been around long before the Premier League was launched in 1992.The question is: Are there more divers now than ever before? For many years English managers have argued that the influx of foreign players has led to a culture of trying to deceive officials, but home-grown stars have been known to do it.
Maybe it is just the increased TV exposure of the Premier League that has highlighted the art of gamesmanship, which has been around for decades. FanHouse has been looking at the evidence and here's our selection of 10 Premier League players who have shown a tendency to hit the deck without too much encouragement.
1.Jurgen Klinsmann: The German international was reviled for his theatrical antics whenever he wore the white of the German national team and never more than against Argentina in the 1990 World Cup. Then he arrived at White Hart Lane and promptly used the dive as his goal celebration on his debut. He rarely missed the chance to hit the turf unaided - but his self-deprecation won over the sceptics.
2. Didier Drogba: Once gave a TV interview and stated: "Sometimes I dive. Sometimes I stand." A statement he later retracted. Drogba is universally targeted outside Stamford Bridge for his inability to stay on his feet. The main objection being that he is built like a boxing heavyweight and goes down easier than a cold beer on baking hot afternoon.
3. Steven Gerrard: Not just the foreign influence, then, and some might charge FanHouse with heresy for suggesting one of Fabio Capello's golden boys. Just ask Andorra goalkeeper Alvarez because he reckons Gerrard rounded him in 2007 and threw himself to the ground after failing to get the ball. Result? Yellow card for simulation.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo: It seems his departure to Real Madrid has softened the nation's attitude to "The Winker." But there can not have been more repeat offenders on these shores than the Portugal international during his time at Old Trafford. His ability to dive cheapened Sir Alex Ferguson's demands for referees to protect the game's stellar talents in this country.
5. Eduardo: Maybe not a serial offender, but he sparked a new diving debate after going down against Celtic in the Champions League earlier this season. Artur Boruc, the Celtic goalkeeper did not touche the Croatian and Uefa were so appalled that they charged Eduardo with diving and banned him for two matches. The suspension was later overturned because they were not convinced there was sufficient evidence of cheating.
6. Robert Pires: The French international had sublime skills and wonderful ability and was an integral part of one of Arsenal's finest teams under Arsene Wenger, but he constantly let himself down, quite literally. Who can forget the penalty he won against Portsmouth for kicking an opposition defender and falling over?
7. Morten Gamst Pedersen: Blackburn Rovers' Norwegian international is another who does not fall into the category of constant offenders, but he perpetrated one of the most remarkable acts of simulation at the end of last season. There was not an Arsenal defender within two yards of him when he tried to win a penalty with his fall. Even he looked embarrassed afterwards, which said it all.
8.Ashley Young: The Aston Villa and England international is starting to earn himself a reputation of hitting the deck faster than a Brett Lee bouncer. Villa manager Martin O'Neill will argue that it only takes the slightest touch when Young is running at full speed to knock him off balance, but referees seem to be wising up, especially as Villa rely so heavily on goals from set pieces and Young is such an expert at delivering them.
9. David Ginola: The Frenchman lit up Newcastle United and White Hart Lane with his wonderful skills. His handsome looks had the ladies falling for him, but he was also equally quick to fall. He would argue it was all about self-protection as frustrated defenders tried to take him out and he had a case - sometimes!
10. Arjen Robben: His feet moved so quickly that it was easy for defenders to get the timing of their tackles wrong when he was Chelsea and, rather like Young, he used that as his excuse for tumbling routines. Not surprising that he headed off to Real Madrid, like Ronaldo. They seem to appreciate a good dive far more in the Bernabeu.
