Fifa changes stance on video evidence for diving

Baird is one of two players banned for diving retrospectively

Fifa has decided it will not stand in the way of national associations who wish to use video evidence to punish players found guilty of simulation.

The Scottish Football Association had proposed such a scheme two years ago.

However, Fifa foiled the move on the grounds that it did not meet the existing rules of the game.

But the sport's governing body has now performed a U-turn and is permitting the Australian federation to ban two players for diving.

Perth Glory striker Michael Baird and Central Coast midfielder Patricio Perez became the first players to be suspended under the rules, both picking up two-match bans for winning their sides penalties through diving.

Former SFA chief executive Gordon Smith had planned to use retrospective yellow cards for diving after match referees watched a match on DVD after the final whistle.

However, Fifa released a statement stating that room for retrospective action was limited.

"This refers specifically to incidents which have escaped the match officials' attention," it said.

We deem diving as a serious issue in the game and something we feel strongly about. FFA spokesman Rod Allen

"According to the Fifa disciplinary code, article 79, the disciplinary decisions taken by the ref on the field of play during a match are final.

"Taking this into account, if a referee has seen an incident during a match but determined that it was not a case of simulation, this decision taken by the referee should be considered final."

The Swiss-based world governing body has now said its view is that individual associations can impose such bans under their own disciplinary rules.

FFA spokesman Rod Allen said that the Australian body had used Uefa's charging of then-Arsenal striker Eduardo with simulation in a Champions League qualifier against Celtic as a model for their new scheme.

"We deem diving as a serious issue in the game and something we feel strongly about. We hope that, with serious sanction, it will be a deterrent. We want to stamp it out," he said.

"It is a misconduct charge for the players - our regulations allow our match review panel to right wrongs they see that happened on the pitch."