Everton vs Arsenal, Saturday, 29th December 17:15

[Dragon181]

Thats the thing though...

Ballack dives at specific times to get penalties and free kicks and he's called clever, Ronaldo (to name but one) does it and he's a dirty diver, like old Pires was labelled when he had ONE high profile 'stumble' against Pompey!

Where's the consistency?

Pires and C. Ronaldo (and also Fabregas, who appear to also get vilified for dirty play) came from (traditionally) Catholic countries. Ballack (and other serial dirty players like Gerrard) came from Protestant countries. There has been a long tradition of bias in Protestant countries (including the US) against those countries who follow the Pope, and while hatred of the Latin "Papist"s and the thought that they are lazy cheaters are no longer as strong as they used to be doesn't mean they are gone.

:shock:

Best explanation ever.