The penalty appeal was turned down, with Saka appearing to initiate the contact with the German stopper. Ex-ref Jeff Winter has weighed into the debate over Saka’s alleged diving, branding it cheating while also acknowledging it is part of the game. He questioned how one would stop such behavior, expressing concerns about the possibility of legal action being pursued in reaction to game losses or relegations. Winter noted the difficulty in proving whether a player has dived, and the limitations of VAR in addressing this issue.
He highlighted Ronaldo’s influence on the penalty-winning techniques used by players like Saka, noting that it has been a longstanding practice in football. Winter emphasized the subjectivity of these decisions and the challenges faced by referees in making quick and accurate calls during fast-paced games. Winter also mentioned the challenge of determining whether an attacker is creating contact with the defender or vice versa, pointing out that it is often difficult to reach a unanimous decision even among neutral referees. He emphasized the importance of allowing the referee to make decisions unless there is a clear and obvious error, understanding the complexity and speed of the game.
