The Professional Footballers' Association is to monitor the increasing number of complaints from managers that players are diving and feigning injury in Premiership matches.

Both the PFA and the League Managers Association believe the problem must be kept in check, though both say it is not prevalent in the British game.

At the start of the season, the PFA launched a poster campaign in clubs' dressing rooms, urging players to avoid misconduct on the pitch, such as diving, feigning injury and making racist comments, following complaints from referees.

Kenny Dalglish: Accusations

In recent weeks, Leeds boss George Graham has accused opponents of diving and over-reacting when tackled.

At the weekend there were further accusations following Leicester's game against Everton and from Newcastle boss Kenny Dalglish who claimed Manchester United's David Beckham had exaggerated a head injury following a challenge from Alessandro Pistone.

David Beckham was said to have exaggerated a head injury

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said the issue would be raised at a pre-planned meeting with the Football Association in the New Year to discuss "a whole range of disciplinary matters."

He said these would include the new bookings system, goal celebrations and racism as well as the issues of diving and feigning injury.

"It's not something we want to see in the game but perhaps the best persuaders are the managers themselves. If they are prepared to be critical of their own players as well as their opponents then that would certainly help."

PFA colleague Brendon Batson added he would be discussing the issue with League Managers Association chief John Barnwell.

Batson said: "I am not aware that these are overwhelming problems but there does seem to be quite a lot of concern being expressed by managers.

"It's not something we want to see creeping into our game and it is something we will be keeping an eye on."

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