UEFA to experiment with five referees to stop diving cheats

London, Aug 28(ANI): UEFA president Michel Platini has said the union will introduce five referees in every game in an experiment to stop players from cheating to earn penalties.

The decision came after the controversy created by Arsenal striker Eduardo, who threw himself to the ground to earn a penalty in last Wednesday's Champions League qualifying win over Celtic.

Platini said that two goal-line referees will bring to an end the culture of penalty-area cheating, and the experiment will start in just three weeks' time, during group games in the new Europa League which will feature Fulham and Everton.

"I know why players dive. I've dived myself. We did it because we knew the referee wouldn't see it and also because there were no cameras," The Sun quoted Platini, as saying.

"The first time I simulated a dive, everyone in my team said to me 'Well done'. If we could get away with it, we would. It has always been like that. But, with our plan to bring in five officials you will be spotted. If you aren't, it's the fault of the officials," he added.

Platini said that once a decision is taken, players will give up simulating due to fears they will be caught by referees.

"I am convinced, with the extra officials, that if you have referees close by it will prevent players from simulating and they will take the right decision. I have always said it is better to have more referees than a multiplication of disciplinary procedures or to refer to videos during matches," he added. (ANI)