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Sean Dyche: Prominent manager encouraged diving

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31:  Manager Sean Dyche of Burnley shouts instructions during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Burnle
Image: Sean Dyche: Burnley side are second in the Premier League fair play table

Sean Dyche claims a fellow Premier League boss urged him to encourage diving from his Burnley players.

Dyche, whose Burnley side are second in the Fair Play table but second-bottom of the league, says the "prominent manager" told him to "move with the times".

But the former lower-league defender has instead renewed his call for retrospective punishment to deal with the game's divers.

"There is a certain way of playing," he said ahead of Saturday's trip to Everton. "I believe the team play in the correct manner. There's been minimal, if any, simulation from our players. I see it constantly in this league, more so than I ever thought I would.

"At this level we have been naive at times, in the right way. I think that's sad that players just can't go out and play and get decisions that they should get.

"One prominent manager I am not going to name said to me, 'You are being naive, you should get your players to move with the times'. It's not my belief. You should play the game properly.

"If someone touches you in the box and you go down, that's always been there - that's not cheating, that's just gamesmanship. That's part of the game. There is a difference. I'm on about absolute simulation where there is no contact and people go to the floor.

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"I'd like to know the reason (retrospective punishment) hasn't been brought in, and if it is getting really looked at in depth.

"It's only because I think morally we talk to our kids about fairness and playing the right way, and yet, in one of the most powerful leagues in the world, there are people dropping everywhere.

"It would evaporate out of the game within two, three or four weeks because managers who have some amazing players will say, 'We can't be losing you for three games'."

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