Revealed: The worst divers in the Premier League - and how Brighton measure up
By Jason Jones
Published 26th Apr 2021, 14:45 GMT
Updated 26th Apr 2021, 15:24 GMT
Diving has been a scourge on professional football for years and years.
Admittedly, in recent times the introduction of VAR and last week’s abortive effort at forming a European Super League have given supporters something else to rage against, but there’s no getting away from the fact that simulation has been a talking point that has dominated conversations in the past.
In the Premier League in particular, it feels as if there is often a heightened scrutiny surrounding contentious decisions.
Brighton have been involved in their fair share already this season – after all, who could forget Lewis Dunk’s bizarre disallowed goal against West Brom earlier in the campaign?
And even with the advent of video technology, diving is still very much part and parcel of the top flight game.
But which clubs are the worst offenders when it comes to trying to dupe referees into handing out free-kicks and penalties?
Research from Bookmakers.tv has sought to determine who the most prolific divers in the Premier League are by looking at which sides have received the most bookings for simulation since 2016/17.
On an individual level, Manchester United’s Dan James leads the way with three cautions, but how does his questionable record compare to the rest of his teammates, and where do Brighton rank among the 20 sides who currently make up the English top flight?
Click and scroll through the pages below to read our countdown of the which clubs try to pull the wool over referees’ eyes most often...
. English referee Robert Jones shows a yellow card to Sheffield United's Irish defender Enda Stevens during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on April 17, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JASON CAIRNDUFF / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JASON CAIRNDUFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
English referee Robert Jones shows a yellow card to Sheffield United's Irish defender Enda Stevens. (Photo by JASON CAIRNDUFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: JASON CAIRNDUFF
. Leeds United
Games played: 33
Cards for Diving: 0
(Photo by TIM GOODE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: TIM GOODE
. Aston Villa
Games played: 68
Cards for Diving: 1
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) Photo: Catherine Ivill
. Sheffield United
Games played: 69
Cards for Diving: 1
(Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images) Photo: Pool
. Fulham
Games played: 70
Cards for Diving: 1
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Photo: Mike Hewitt
. Everton
Games played: 181
Cards for Diving: 2
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Photo: Clive Brunskill
1. Leeds United
Games played: 33
Cards for Diving: 0
(Photo by TIM GOODE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: TIM GOODE
2. Aston Villa
Games played: 68
Cards for Diving: 1
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) Photo: Catherine Ivill
3. Sheffield United
Games played: 69
Cards for Diving: 1
(Photo by Peter Powell/Pool via Getty Images) Photo: Pool
4. Fulham
Games played: 70
Cards for Diving: 1
(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Photo: Mike Hewitt