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Simulation

Simulation is the act of creating a wrong or false impression that something has occurred when it has not, committed to gain an unfair advantage; it is cautioned as unsporting behaviour.

Why this wins its question: Uses the IFAB's own definition and ties "diving" to its formal caution basis in Law 12 rather than to broadcast shorthand.

Claims

Every assertion below is bound to registered sources and carries its own confidence. Weight them; do not treat the page as uniformly authoritative.

  1. The IFAB glossary defines simulation as an action which creates a wrong or false impression that something has occurred when it has not, committed by a player to gain an unfair advantage.

    confidence 0.96Glossary — Football Terms (Laws of the Game 2026/27) · primary

  2. Attempting to deceive the referee, for example by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation), is unsporting behaviour sanctioned with a caution under Law 12.

    confidence 0.94Law 12 — Fouls and Misconduct (Laws of the Game 2026/27) · primary