dyslexic nam

Don't come here acting all logical and rational...

It also may be something less technical and more about brand preservation.  At the risk of bolstering the naysayers on here, it may just have been that the CSA didn't want the optics of a CPL team potentially losing to an MLS U23 team.  FCEd has little playing time under its belt and many of the players would still be getting to know  each other.  In that sort of context, it isn't unreasonable to think that the VWC U23 team (that plays and practices together all the time) might beat them.  And in the build up to league launch, that wouldn't have been a great vibe to send out for CPL.   Better to play some anonymous DR minnow and work out the kinks behind closed doors than potentially give MLS ammunition to shit on CPL.

It also may be something less technical and more about brand preservation.  At the risk of bolstering the naysayers on here, it may just have been that the CSA didn't want the optics of a CPL team potentially losing to an MLS U23 team.  FCEd has little playing time under its belt and many of the players would still be getting to know  each other.  In that sort of context, it isn't unreasonable to think that the VWC U23 team (that plays and practices together all the time) might beat them.  And in the build up to league launch, that wouldn't have been a great vibe to send out for CPL.   Better to play some anonymous DR minnow and work out the kinks behind closed doors than potentially give MLS ammunition to shit on CPL.

It also may be something less technical and more about brand preservation.  At the risk of bolstering the naysayers on here, it may just have been that the CSA didn't want the optics of a CPL team potentially losing to an MLS U23 team.  FCEd has little playing time under its belt and many of the players would still be getting to know  each other.  In that sort of context, it isn't unreasonable to think that the VWC U23 team (that plays and practices together all the time) might beat them.  And in the build up to league launch, that wouldn't have been a great vibe to send out for CPL.   Better to play some anonymous DR minnow and work out the kinks behind closed doors than potentially give MLS ammunition to shit on CPL.

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

It was a bit obscure. I took it to be jocular disrespect to the quality of VW, as in "we are threatening to give you a VW".

If you EVER threaten a Valour player again....

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

The area where I see the biggest impact of this is the amount of clutching and grabbing defenders are now permitted to do on attacking players when corner kicks or free kicks put a ball into the box.  It is absolutely against the laws of the game, yet you regularly see defenders latched onto attackers, grabbing their arms or shirt and holding them in place, or holding them down from a header.
They do it because the refs let it happen - so of course it takes place  THAT is something that is antithetical to the beautiful game, yet because refs are being subjective about how they apply the laws, things get really wonky in terms of enforcement.  And what is the end result?  Strikers end up theatrically throwing themselves to the ground because it is the only way some refs seem willing to give a penalty.   
Different case than punishing simulation, obviously, but it is another example of things getting screwed up as refs have moved away from enforcing the letter of the Laws.  And like the comments on simulation, it is an area where I think it would be appropriate for the commish to indicate that he expects the Laws to be enforced as written. 

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

A large portion of the blame absolutely falls on the referees who have allowed the game to get to this stage.
We should all be able to agree on two points:
1) divers should be punished 
2) thugs should be punished
End of story.  Both are equally annoying but one has been policed much better.  There are no more Vinnie Jones playing serious football but there are divers at every turn.  
I do think the refs have done a disservice to the sport by calling their own bastardized version of the game rather than by the book.  For example, if you allow play for an advantage give the player a card after the play stops (if warranted).  This is rarely done.  Normal fouls in the box are never called either - this encourages diving.  If it’s a foul at the centre circle it’s a foul in the box.  A player shouldn’t have to go down like they’ve been shot to get a penalty.
But this is the world subjective refereeing has created.  It’s 2019 it shouldn’t happen .. let’s call the game by the book and have video ready to break it down if needed.  No more bullshit.  And if a dive isn’t called in the game and the player gets away with it he has cheated the sport and league - throw the book at them.  If they dove it should be a minimum 2 game suspension. And who cares if it’s your star player? This shouldn’t be like MLS.
All players equal, all calls equal.

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

Honestly, I have no idea how getting tough on the simulation and bullshit we see somehow equates to giving the green light for glorified goons to hack the talent players until they bleed.  The two are simply not the same thing.  Full stop.  You can absolutely continue to protect skilled players while punishing flagrant instances of diving, cheating and simulation.  The two things are in no way mutually exclusive. 
And, yes, the laws of the game currently have provisions in place to address this.  But that doesn't change the fact that it is still an unfortunate part of the game that (for some inexplicable reason) quite obviously gets ignored by many refs.  Telling CPL refs to make sure they pay attention to it is absolutely appropriate for the CPL commish to do IMO.  Everyone on this site has seen CONCACAF flopping and diving wreck a game and screw us over - all while (often Central American) refs turn a blind eye to it - or worse, allow it to dictate a game by awarding unwarranted free kicks.  Expunging that bullshit from the game is something I welcome. 

Like Law 12, the one that outlaws simulation and other unsportsmanlike conduct? 

Canadian culture, IMO, is built on a foundation of fair play. Faking injuries and diving are antithetical to that general consensus even if a significant minority admires those who cheat in this way.

I think he’s more referencing the guy who barely gets touched in the lower body and then rolls around grabbing his face waiting for the penalty.  Then miraculously with some spray he’s 100%.  
That kind of thing grated on a lot of people.  

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned here is prior to the kits unveiling the commish stated that the league will not allow flipping and flopping around the field., and that he'll stop that by being "tough on crime". He also called it Un Canadian. I'm happy he listened to me since I mentioned it here about a year ago.😁😎

I think we can all forever dedicate our less-floppy league to you!

It's tomorrow.
Pre-sales have been happening for a couple of weeks now.

Maybe I am just getting cranky in my advancing years, but April Fools is one of those traditions I wish would just die. 

Maybe I am just getting cranky in my advancing years, but April Fools is one of those traditions I wish would just die. 

You know what else I like in Rugby? If the injury doesn't look serious, they just let medics come on and deal with it, while they play on.

That would end the flip-flopping in the corner of the pitch, that is simply trying to delay the game.