Match of The Day call out ‘Paraguayan Diving Team’ after shambles at St James’ Park | OneFootball

Match of The Day on Saturday night.

Gary Lineker joined by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.

They get to the Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 match.

However, the biggest talking point isn’t the result of the football on display.

Instead, the Match of The Day presenter and pundits wanting to talk about the embarrassing attempts to cheat.

Or as Gary Lineker labelled it, the ‘Paraguayan Diving Team’ in action.

Enciso had been Brighton’s best player and biggest threat BUT also very embarrassing as he constantly moaned about the physicality of Newcastle challenges on him. So in the second half the ball was played into his feet with back to goal, Enicso flicks the ball but as he turns, after a delayed reaction, throws himself theatrically to the ground. Krafth was nowhere near making contact and the referee booked the Paraguayan star.

Late in added time, Miguel Almiron goes past his man just inside the box and he is in behind the Brighton defence. However, instead of shooting or passing to a teammate to try and get the winner, he throws himself to the ground in similar fashion to his countryman. Clearly no contact from the defender.

This lame effort to try and get a penalty is stupid as well as embarrassing.

Miguel Almiron would have been in a great position to score or create the winning goal AND in these days of VAR, it is pure stupidity, as the TV replays will show no contact and no penalty.

This is what the Match of The Day panel had to say…

Gary Lineker:

“The Olympics are coming up of course this summer and the Paraguayan diving team have got a couple of late entries.”

Micah Richards:

“First one Enciso.

“This was absolutely shocking.

“He goes down two seconds after he kicks the ball [and Emil Krafth clearly makes no contact].

“That is bad.

“But this is worse.

“What is he doing???”

Alan Shearer:

“Well I’m not going to protect him.

“Both of them were terrible.

“It’s shocking from both players, terrible from both of them.”

Micah Richards:

“Absolutely shocking. Shocking.”

Alan Shearer:

“Don’t laugh.”

Gary Lineker:

“I can’t help it (Micah Richards holding up a piece of paper with ‘9.4’ written on it in tribute to Almiron’s dive).

“The score was actually 1-1 and not 9-4. If it had been it would have been the lead game [of the programme).”

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Saturday 11 May 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Longstaff 45+5

Brighton:

Veltman 18

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Brighton 45% (40%) Newcastle 55% (60%)

Total shots were Brighton 15 (10) Newcastle 18 (10)

Shots on target were Brighton 4 (3) Newcastle 7 (4)

Corners were Brighton 4 (3) Newcastle 8 (6)

Referee: Darren England

Newcastle team v Brighton:

Dubravka, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hall (Trippier 90+2), Longstaff (Joelinton 68), Bruno, Anderson, J Murphy (Almiron 68), Gordon, Isak (Barnes 68)

Unused subs:

Pope, Dummett, Ritchie, White, A Murphy

(Roberto De Zerbi with some interesting comments on Newcastle United after taking away a point – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Instant Newcastle fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Frustration and not fun in the sun BUT this point could be crucial – Read HERE)

Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:

Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)