How footballers cheat: Hong Kong referee dishes dirt on dark arts of the game in new book
Local academic William Lai’s new book lists every trick and tactic used by top level pros and kids alike, as he hopes to educate officials and players against being conned
Football fans are filled with opinions and never more so when there is controversy. Take Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal against England at the 1986 World Cup. Some people, including England’s captain in that game, Terry Butcher, think of El Diego as a cheat. Others say it was revenge for the Falklands War. Others still point to the player’s other goal in the same game, one regarded by many as the best of all time.
Mark Sutcliffe, chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association, argues the goal should be called “Hand of Devil” which he writes in the foreword for local referee and academic William Lai’s new book, Football Dark Arts: Every Crafty Soccer Trick In The Book.
Aguero and others copy the “Hand of God”
With hundreds of examples, Lai’s book lives up to its subtitle. But as he is at pains to point out: “This is not a guide on how to con referees!”
Lai argues that more knowledge of the dirty tricks going on in football makes the referee’s job easier – and the players’.
“Education is the solution,” he says. “By raising awareness of the dark arts, I hope to level the playing field for everyone because their understanding of the game will improve.
“Players can choose to use them to exploit others, or to use this knowledge to avoid being exploited.”