Oh dear. This topic is certainly not something we here at the site wish to report on, talk about and ultimately give our damning verdicts on. But here goes! If you weren't aware, two high profile Leicester City players were booked versus West Bromwich Albion in the recent match last Friday evening. The Midlands derby ended in parity in the week, thanks to a late effort from substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid deflecting into the net for an own goal equaliser for the Foxes.
Anyway, I digress. In spite of picking up a battling tardy point against decent opposition at an away ground, City supporters and team manager Marti Cifuentes wanted the win. When the aim is automatic promotion, you can't afford to give up too many easy points. And one or two LCFC stars let the side down for simulation, in my opinion. Attempting to con the referee is especially annoying and counterproductive when a footballer actually has the ball at their feet in and around the box, regardless!
Thankfully the former Queens Park Rangers gaffer now in charge on Filbert Way agrees with my sentiments. As a matter of fact, Cifuentes hates diving too! Before the season began, the Catalan boss was quoted as saying he desires honesty from his squad, and isn't a fan of conniving or bad sportsmanship. Now the 43-year-old has reiterated and essentially warned certain standout personnel belonging to the King Power side after further diving allegations emerge.
Marti Cifuentes has essentially warned certain Leicester City stars amidst diving allegations
First of all, let's name and shame the apparent perpetrators: Jeremy Monga and Julian Carranza. Monga is particularly under the spotlight because he's been yellow carded twice for simulation this season.
"I’ve been very clear since day one with all my teams that I don’t like diving at all,” he said.Cifuentes, via Leicester Mercury
“I haven’t seen the situation yet (with Monga), but when you are chasing a result and driving forward, the honest way to go is to just try to attack the game and not to lose time on those situations."
Albeit Monga is very young and talented, of course. Meanwhile Carranza is new to the country and division, so should be cut some slack for now too.