"I'm all too familiar with Neymar's diving antics," Brych, the recently retired German referee, told Focus magazine on 23/7. "The more he grimaced in apparent pain, the calmer I became in letting the game continue. A footballer in real agony would immediately collapse, not roll around dramatically."

Neymar (left) and PSG players complain to Brych (yellow shirt) during their 2-1 loss to Man City in the first leg of the 2020-2021 Champions League semi-final. Photo: *Reuters*

Neymar is renowned for his skillful play and enjoyed great success at Barcelona. However, in recent years, especially during his 2017-2023 stint with PSG, he has exploited this skill to frustrate opponents. Whenever fouled, Neymar tends to overact, often to the point of theatrics. During the 2018 World Cup, imitating Neymar's dives even became a trend.

Many respected figures in the sport have openly criticized Neymar's habit. World Cup and Euro-winning coach Vicente del Bosque even stated that the Brazilian forward is not a good role model for young players because he "engages in too many theatrics and dives too often."

With over 20 years of experience, Brych has accumulated considerable expertise in dealing with players like Neymar. He often observes the reactions of surrounding players to inform his decisions. "If they look at the referee first, instead of rushing to their teammate on the ground, I understand the situation isn't truly serious," he explained.

According to Brych, the introduction and development of VAR has also greatly assisted referees in exposing players' diving antics. After any questionable incident, the referee can consult with the VAR officials or review slow-motion replays on the monitor. "Over time, players have perfected the art of diving, but since the advent of VAR, things have become more complicated for them," he added.

Brych officiated the 2017 Champions League final, the 2014 Europa League final, two World Cups, and two European Championships. At the end of 2023, he suffered a torn cruciate ligament during a Bundesliga match.

"Frankly, after 21 years, it felt like a liberation," Brych said of his retirement. "I had a wonderful time. In recent years, I've constantly had to push myself to the limit, but recovery has become increasingly difficult. Now, I can relax and enjoy watching football."

Thanh Quy (according to Focus)