FIFA yesterday admitted that an "epidemic" of cheating is threatening to get out of control at the World Cup.

Keith Cooper, FIFA communications director, said there had been several worrying incidents of players diving or feigning injuries in attempts to get opponents booked or sent off. "The trouble is a lot of players are damned good at it, and it is not very easy to distinguish between a genuine foul and a dive," he said.

England legend Sir Bobby Charlton has also expressed alarm at the problem. "I have never seen so many people dive. It's a work of art. The moment they get touched by a defender down they go. They practise it," said Charlton. Can't think where he saw them practise it.

He has a point though, Dutch players have admitted that once their defender Numan was sent off in the quarterfinal they decided to make the most of any foul. Goalkeeper van der Saar did a mighty job with Ortega's headbutt, but he could still learn a thing or two from the World Cup's top three divers. . .

Ariel Ortega (Argentina) - the undoubted master of the dive. Tried to claim he had been tripped by Jaap Stam in the penalty area and hurled himself over the Dutchman's leg. Lost his cool after receiving only a yellow card instead.

Michael Owen (England) - the boy learns quickly. Perhaps felt he was getting his own back for Argentina's dubious penalty by running at Roberto Ayala before launching himself unassisted into space. Unlike Ortega's, this one was successful.

Claudio Lopez (Argentina) - his dive perhaps inspired Owen. Beat Gary Neville for pace and when he saw David Seaman sliding out, first inserted his foot in the England goalkeeper's groin before hurling himself over. Pure artistry.