FIFA has rejected a request by the English Football Association (FA) to use video evidence to retrospectively punish players that dive.
A Fifa statement said: “A disciplinary committee may rectify obviously incorrect decisions taken by a referee.
“But a referee’s discretionary decision cannot be classed as such – in general, factual decisions taken by the referee cannot be overruled.”
Fifa added that rules already exist which allow referees to punish players that dive.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick, who suggested the law change, expressed his sympathy for referees.
“There is a definite need for close co-operation and self-policing,” he said.
“It is essential that managers, players and clubs are closely involved as they are the ones who suffer the most directly from it.
“It is about players cutting it out of their game, managers refusing to tolerate it among their players, referees spotting it and punishing it when it happens and governing bodies supporting them.”
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