MANY years ago I was a swimmer competing at national level. A good start was essential. A dive that could help you seize the initiative put you ahead of your opponents.

When I look at professional football these days, I think a few of the stars could earn a sideline in the pool. Their diving is impeccable, often with a subtle twist and turn at the end. The problem is that, while it may win their team temporary glory, they are doing serious damage to the game of football.

Top flight football is now all about money. Teams would rather finish second, third or fourth in the Premier League than win the FA Cup because of the euro-millions up for grabs in the Champions League.

A glance at what used to be called the terraces during Match of the Day shows that, at many clubs, the public are voting with their feet. They've become disenchanted with the high prices and the diving and feigning injury that goes on. The World Cup was spoiled by such antics with players repeatedly trying to get their opponents booked or sent off.

I was pleased to hear how Torquay United chairman Chris Roberts, dismayed at the antics in Germany in the summer, introduced an anti-cheating clause into players' contracts which states they will be punished if they dive or feign injury. The first two offences result in warnings but a third transgression will see the player placed on the transfer list.

Such a stance should be applauded. The fact is that football has continually turned a blind eye to this, interspersed with a lot of hot air. The Premier League could wipe out diving overnight. Simply state that if cameras subsequently show a player has dived, they will be banned for ten matches.

Unfortunately many top managers seem to condone cheating. Sir Alex Ferguson described Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate as "naive" when he voiced anger at Ronaldo's penalty winning tumble at the Riverside earlier this season.

On Wednesday night, Jose Mourhino could be seen brandishing an imaginary yellow card to try to influence the ref when one of his players was fouled. Chelsea took the resultant free kick several feet further than where the foul took place and scored the winner. Is that cheating or professionalism?

The difference of course is that Man Utd and Chelsea sit top of the Premiership while noble Torquay are second bottom of the football league and we all know which teams will have the bigger impact on children in the playground.

Pretty soon we will have a whole generation who regard cheating as acceptable, a "skill" as important as controlling or heading a ball. Perhaps we will have an annual award for "Dive of the Year".

Years ago wrestling used to be a central part of ITV's Saturday afternoon programme, World of Sport. Finally, the bosses dropped it because it was clear everyone was diving and feigning injury, it was all stage managed.

Well, if those in charge aren't careful the same will happen to football. One day Sky will decide it wants to put its money into real, competitive sport, not a cheat's charade.

Football is the national sport. It has been part of the tradition of this country for well over a century. It's time the current powers that be started protecting this national treasure instead of simply bleeding it dry.