Suarez tag unfair - Barnes

Published Sep. 28, 2012 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

John Barnes insists it is only in England that diving is an issue and claims Luis Suarez would not get criticised if he played elsewhere.

Tony Pulis on Thursday called for three-match bans to be handed to players found guilty of diving, with Suarez one of those regularly accused of simulation.

Barnes, however, insists it is only in Britain that diving attracts so much attention.

"It (diving) has never been an issue in South America, Italy or Spain," Barnes said.

"In other countries players are not judged from a moral point of view, but that is the case in England because we are English and we are morally correct, we are the moral policemen of the world.

"English referees will view it in a different way than German referees.

"In Spain they won't say you are a cheat. The referees may book you because you have dived but it's not a big deal.

"Foreign defenders don't brand other players cheats. They just look at it and say 'you tried it on but it didn't work' Your moral judgement and compass isn't brought in to question."

On Suarez specifically, Barnes added: "The diving tag is unfair on him. He is no different to anyone else in world football who plays up front.

"He twists and turns at ridiculous angles and he very often falls over.

"Even if there is no-one there around him he is going to fall over because no-one can twist like him and stand up.

"I don't see diving. Sometimes you look to gain an advantage. This is the way modern football is. It changed when the modern laws came in to protect the player. That has allowed players to look for an advantage."