text: what is in that magic spray that fixes the soccer player? i am american but i think i have soccer down, tell me if i am wrong?  all you do is pretend to kick the ball. when someone get near you, fall on the ground and pretend to be in pain! the some dude sprays crap on you that looks cold. then two minutes later, jump up like you were never hurt and repeat for 90 minutes!!!!!   right?!?!?!? there's more than mere cynicism in your description. i'm sad to say that, as a soccer fan, you have this part of the game nailed down. the issue then becomes what is the governing body (in this case, fifa) doing about it.  answer___________________________ (yes, nothing).  it's too bad that the foremost competition in this sport, to be seen by you and many others who don't normally watch, is a public shambles. players, officials, managers, fifa, national associations, the tabloid  press (and fans too if they bring the game into disrepute), they all share in the creation of this excuse for what can be a marvellous sport and therefore share in the blame too.  my best advice is to ignore the big boys; go and watch a game being played on a sunday at a park in your local area. watch how the game flows and how much the participants love to play it.