The other one... the bad one!

Watching as much as I could of yesterday’s game (due to currently working in Dubai with bang average WiFi). It made me think... has their ever been a case of a keeper diving to win a foul? If it was a dive in the box would it be a penalty or freekick?

What first made me think of it was Schmeichel going down after a feather touch from McArthur I believe in the first half from a cross. The commentators said he was barely touched if at all yet, with keepers getting so much protection in the modern game, it was blown up for a foul. It clearly wasn’t a foul, and my frustration was doubled when minutes later McArthur was booked for diving. That was a harsh decision I feel, even if he was looking for it. Anyway, if the keeper was judged to have dived what would the punishment be (apart from a yellow card)? Similarly when Guaita went down under Vardy’s challenge (which WAS a foul, incidentally) it that was judged as a dive would that have been a pen or freekick?

Thoughts?

It would be a free kick.

You probably know that not all fouls inside the penalty area result in a penalty. I know the rules have changed a little in the last few years so it isn't a common occurrence.

Free kicks can be awarded inside the box for offences such as a goalkeeper picking up a back pass and simulation by a defending team player.

Here are some free kicks from inside the penalty box. [Link]