10 Worst Dives of the Season so Far

Ah, the art of simulation.

In some corners of the globe, the attempt is applauded, particularly when it comes off.

In others, diving is looked upon with nothing less than disgust.

The answers that you get with regards people's opinions on footballer's diving—how it should be viewed, how it should be dealt with, what punishments should be given, etc.—really will depend on you ask. 

But what you cannot question is that some dives either: a) are really bad or b) look utterly embarrassing—regardless of the end result.

Anyway, with all that being said, here's a look at 10 of the worst dives so far in 2013-14. The majority were waived away or saw the diver earn himself a spot in the referee's notebook. However, a couple did what was intended and reaped rewards for their side. 

Make no mistake, however, all were dives.

In no particular order, let's take a look:

Daniel Sturridge: Liverpool vs. Arsenal

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has rightfully earned himself plenty of plaudits for his goals and performances in the Barclays Premier League so far this season, but during his side's recent defeat to Arsenal, he pulled out this rather disappointing attempt at winning a penalty.

Having embarrassed Laurent Koscielny with an excellent change of direction which left the Gunners centre-back on his backside, the England international drove into the penalty area.

However, having ran out of room, Sturridge poked the ball ahead of the equally pacy Kieran Gibbs before throwing himself rather blatantly to the floor. 

It wasn't anything too colourful and in reality was a rather lame attempt. Whether he thought he ever had a hope of winning a spot-kick, only Sturridge will know.

Chico Flores: Swansea vs. West Ham (Laughed at by Sam Allardyce)

No matter how you slice this, whether there was the slightest contact or not, it was rather embarrassing for Swansea's Spanish defender Chico Flores.

Since arriving at the Liberty Stadium in 2012, Chico has impressed at the heart of Michael Laudrup's defence with his tenacious style.

However, during this recent match against West Ham, Chico went down clutching his face, feigning a whack from Hammers striker Carlton Cole.

After a little roll on the touchline, Chico was swiftly up when he realised the referee wasn't giving him anything for his pretty dreadful stop, drop and roll—had he been highlighting fire safety, it may have been more useful.

And as he was getting back to his knees, the defender was met by the booming laugh of West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, who was happy to let him know exactly what he'd made of the whole episode.

And for an act of simulation this bad, we can't blame him.

Arturo Vidal: Juventus vs. Real Madrid

Probably the biggest rule of performing a good dive that could earn you a decision is to ensure that there's some poor schmuck within the vicinity who can take the fall.

At the Santiago Bernabeu during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Juventus in October, that was something that Juve's all-action Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal—possibly the best box-to-box midfielder in world football—quite simply forgot to do. 

Driving past Asier Illarramendi, Vidal has two yards worth of space from which he could either fire a shot at goal from a tight angle or look to cross for someone in a better position. 

Instead, the Bianconeri's engine decided to take a chunk out of the Bernabeu turf, before having the gall to turn and appeal for a spot-kick.

Sometimes, you just can't explain things, and how he thought he was going to get rewarded for that is simply unfathomable.

Gareth Bale: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla

The following conversation took place following Real Madrid's 7-3 win over Sevilla between Canal Plus interviewer Ricardo Sierra and Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, as reported by ESPN's Dermot Corrigan:

Sierra: "We have seen something which is not usual for a player who has been in the Premier League—going down in the area with no touch from the defender. What happened?"

Bale: "Yeah, I was going at pace, and to be honest I felt a touch..."

Sierra interrupted Bale to insist: "There was no touch."

Bale: "I felt something. I thought he was going to pull a leg out on me, so as usual I try and avoid the contact. But, er, it was not a penalty and we move on."

I think they call that caught hook, line and sinker.

Johan Elmander: Sweden vs. Austria

In a must-win World Cup qualifier, Sweden had turned it round against Austria in Solna's Friends Arena: Martin Olsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic having scored second-half goals to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead with the clock running down.

As such, it was all men on deck for the Swedes in the closing moments, and Johan Elmander was back defending in his left-back spot when Marko Arnautovic was fouled by a colleague—with the Austrian forward going down rather theatrically.

However, Arnautovic's fall was nothing in comparison with Norwich City striker Elmander, who had got in the Stoke man's face to remonstrate. Heads came closer and closer, and after the slightest of brushes, Elmander jumped backwards, clutching his face as though Arnautovic had laid one on him.

The referee took his time and showed red to the Austrian, having been well and truly conned. 

Joel Campbell: Costa Rica vs. United States

In a sporting context, I have no words for this from Joel Campbell, the Costa Rican forward currently on-loan at Greek club Olympiakos from Premier League Arsenal, but I am impressed with his initiative.

I mean, everyone dives when the ball is near them. But very few dive when the play is 40 yards away pretending they've been stamped on when it's actually an extremely minor treading on toes. 

And the fact that the referee, his fourth assistant, whoever, deemed that United States defender Matt Besler had trodden on Campbell and deserved a booking...I mean, really!

Anyway, FIFA didn't take so kindly to Campbell's antics, sanctioning the player, "for breaching art. 57 of the FIFA disciplinary code," as reported by The Mirror.

Marouane Chamakh: Crystal Palace vs. Southampton

Crystal Palace have endured a pretty miserable return to the Premier League thus far, with just three points to their name.

Manager Ian Holloway has gone, and they're currently without a manager.

Had Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, formerly of Bordeaux and Arsenal, have decided to stick this chance away rather than looking to con a penalty out of the referee, maybe things could have gone differently—the score in the match against Southampton at St. Mary's was 0-0 at the time.

Holloway didn't come out and defend his striker following the conclusion of the game back at the end of September, which Palace lost 2-0, but rather declared his annoyance at the striker, as reported by BBC Sport.

Have to agree with him. It wasn't even subtle.

Ashley Young: Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace

It's a sad indictment of Ashley Young's fortunes that having looked on the verge of becoming a key player for both club and country during the 2011-12 season, the Manchester United winger is now looked upon for his diving more than anything else.

And part of that is his own fault, as this effort against Crystal Palace in the early part of this season is far from an isolated incident.

In truth, it was standard Young fare: Cut in from the left flank, face up a back-peddling defender and then throw one's self to the ground as he reaches the ball ahead of another defender.

On this occasion, the referee made the correct decision and booked Young for simulation.

Unfortunately for Palace, a later decision, which wasn't as clear cut, did see Young win a penalty and a red card for an opponent. 

Luis Suarez: Uruguay vs. Peru

Back at the beginning of September, while still banned from club action with Liverpool, Luis Suarez went on international duty for Uruguay's South American qualifiers.

And controversy took the plane journey with him.

In an important game for La Celeste against Peru in the Peruvian capital of Lima, Suarez had given the visitors the lead with a 43rd-minute penalty and would later score a second in a 2-1 victory.

However, the game would be remembered for the antics of the Uruguay No. 9 as he contrived to get Peruvian midfielder Victor Yotun Flores sent off on the stroke of half-time.

A ball was flicked into the direction of Suarez, and under little pressure from the defender behind him, the Salto-native crumpled in a heap on the floor, rolling around.

Yotun Flores decided he was faking so threw the ball at him, then attempted to drag him up by his arm—and was shown a red card for his troubles.

From a sportsmanship point of view, it was a dastardly piece of simulation, and it looks very poor.

From an "I'm going to break up play before half-time" point of view, it couldn't have gone better for El Pistolero.

And of course, it's not his only controversial drop while away with his country this term...

Luis Suarez (2): Uruguay vs. Argentina

Uruguay and Argentina contest one of international football's oldest and fiercest rivalries, and in their October clash in Montevideo, La Celeste were in need of a home success to seal their chances of a World Cup play-off against Jordan.

And Suarez and his, for want of another word, "methods," proved just the job for La Celeste against Alejandro Sabella's largely second-string side, breaking open a tight game with another act of devilment.

With the score at 1-1 in the 33rd minute, Atletico Madrid midfielder Cristian Rodriguez crossed from the left, looking for Suarez in between two Argentine defenders—however, his delivery didn't beat the first man.

And seeing that the ball wouldn't be coming his way, Suarez buckled his knees and threw himself down to the ground, arms outstretched.

No challenge, no shove, nothing. 

No matter, for the Brazilian referee had decided that despite it being an absolutely blatant throwing of one's self, Suarez deserved a penalty for his efforts.

The Liverpool striker duly scored, and Uruguay would go on to secure the win, which ensured their fifth-place finish in Conmebol qualifying and a qualifying double-header against Jordan—which they will surely win to earn their place at Brazil 2014.

You may not like El Pistolero's blatant methods, and to most onlookers this was a particularly bad effort. But my word, he isn't half effective in giving his side a helping hand.

Find me on Twitter for more football chat: @AA_Richards