THE suspension for two matches of Everton's Oumar Niasse, by the new ‘divers panel’ for simulation, is very interesting.

This is because the television seemed to suggest there was a slight contact when he went down, causing the referee to award a penalty.

Although Everton were furious with the panel’s decision, it is worth listening to what Niasse himself is reported to have said after the match.

"When I felt the contact, I was in the box so that is it. That is all I have to do – go on the floor."

Many professional club managers have said they would encourage their players to go down if there was any form of contact, however small.

lf you don’t go down they argue the referee is unlikely to give the foul. I remember Robin van Persie, when with Arsenal, saying if he was tripped, he would exaggerate the effect to make sure that the referee noticed it.

We don’t know what criteria the new panels work to. We do know that they only are brought into being, when the action of the player concerned might have deceived the referee, which is what in the eyes of the Law, makes it an offence.

This was thought to be the case in Everton’s game against Crystal Palace, as it caused the referee to give a penalty.

Let’s look at the criteria by which the referees of the MLS in North America work, according to Paul Reger, former assistant referee chief on the Premier League and now referee development manager for the MLS.

It says – simulation may occur when there is no contact, when the player has slight contact with an opponent, when a player initiates contact with an opponent, where a player anticipates a possible contact from an opponent, or where a player exaggerates the effect of the contact.

This is not Law of course, but if the panels are working to something similar, it might be a warning to those who fall too easily, that this will also be considered to be simulation.