The Premier League football season is almost upon us so it’s time to get ready for a lot of bad acting.

Players rolling around the ground feigning injury trying to get a response from the referee. Dropping like a stone after being tipped on the face by a flailing hand as if they had been struck by Mike Tyson. Roaring in agony until the referee’s whistle signals a miraculous recovery.

Not only is that kind of play-acting embarrassing, it’s also cheating in my opinion.

The Argentinians and the Paraguayan’ took this to a new level during the recent World Cup, but the Premier League has its fair share of pretenders too.

Where there is sport, there will always be those prepared to bend the rules, or even break them to gain an advantage over opponents. Especially in professional sport where the financial rewards are often enormous.

Some are prepared to do whatever it takes to win, and there are those who think that’s OK.

The Republic of Ireland soccer team suffered from a cheating incident back in 2009 at the hands of Thierry Henry. The French team faced the Republic of Ireland in a two-legged play-off for the World Cup finals. After taking the lead in Dublin, the French allowed the Irish back into the tie.

In extra time, Henry handled the ball. He palmed it into the path of his teammate William Gallas, who scored.

The Irish players surrounded the referee who didn’t notice that Henry cheated. The goal stood and France went to the World........

© Evening Echo