BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche has called for the introduction of retrospective bans for players who try to con referees by diving.

Dyche believes the introduction of a three-man panel of ex-players and referees who could decide on controversial decisions after a match, with video evidence to help them, would eradicate the blight of diving on the game.

Speaking at the Leaders Sport Business Summit in London, Dyche called for divers to be hit with a three-match ban.

Diego Costa was booked for diving for Chelsea at Turf Moor on the opening weekend of the season, although Clarets striker Danny Ings saw yellow at Crystal Palace.

Dyche also criticised the increasing acceptance of diving as part of the game.

“I would introduce retrospective bans for cheating,” he said. “It’s got to be looked at. Some dives are being applauded now. It’s ridiculous. It’s very, very difficult for referees.

“A striker can drop in the box and not get banned. It can decide results.

“Have a panel who look at it, get all the angles.

“It would cut it out very, very quickly. It would disappear because managers would say to their best players, ‘I can’t afford to lose you for three matches’. It used to be frowned on. Now it’s weirdly accepted. It’s almost applauded.

“But cheating is cheating.”