Simulation.

Until a certain Dubliner intervened, it was the sporting story of the week.

Jamie Vardy’s swan-like leap on Sunday against West Ham has inexplicably split the footballing world. He was correctly cautioned for simulation as Jamie Carragher expertly illustrated on Sky’s Monday Night Football.

However, in Germany last night, Chilean international and supposed “hardman” Arturo Vidal bested Vardy for the dive of the week award. With Bayern a goal up on Werder Bremen, Vidal found himself in the box. He cut back and awaited the tackle. Sure enough, a Bremen defender slid in and extravagantly leaped into the air and fell to the ground. The referee awarded the penalty, assuming as most would that significant contact had been made.

Thomas Muller converted the spot kick, securing Bayern’s place in the DFB-Pokal Final.

As shameful as it is, it is still one of the most convincing dives you’ll ever see.

Watch below.

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