Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante has backed Federation Football Australia's stance on simulation after the match review panel suspended Perth Glory's Michael Baird and Central Coast's Patricio Perez for diving.
The pair have been handed two-match bans after both won penalties in their respective A-League matches over the weekend.
Perth Glory, who are at home to the Phoenix in round five on Sunday, drew 2-2 with Melbourne Heart thanks to Robbie Fowler's conversion from the spot, while Perez's spot-kick gave his side a 1-1 draw with Sydney, who also had goalkeeper Liam Reddy sent off.
Reddy's red card has since been expunged by the match review panel and he will be free to play in Sydney's match against Adelaide United this weekend.
"I think it's a good move from the FFA," Durante said of the suspensions. "We need to stamp simulation out of the game. We don't want it in our game and if it was to cost us points we'd be filthy, so fair play to the FFA."
After seeing both incidents on TV Durante had some sympathy for the referees caught up the controversy.
"In real time I think it was a bit hard for the ref to judge Liam Reddy's one but I think the Michael Baird one was pretty blatant," the Phoenix central defender said.
"He took a couple of steps and then decided to fall. It was pretty poor that one."
"I don't think the refs are really to blame in that sort of situation but the match review committee is spot on and the fines and punishment are fair."
Durante was coy when asked if there were particular players known for simulating and instead said if defenders were doing their job properly opportunities to try and dupe the referee would be limited.
"As defenders we've just got to make sure we're on top of our game and we make the right tackles in the right places and don't give them the opportunity to try and simulate."
"I would be filthy if I went in for a tackle and didn't touch them and they dived and got a penalty. The only way to stop them is what the FFA's doing."
Durante's comments are unlikely to impress the Glory who said in a statement they were "shocked and disappointed" by the match review panel's decision and the fact there was no avenue of appeal.
But the Phoenix captain has a more pressing issue to concern himself with - namely his side's inability to take their home form on the road.
"We're too good a team not to pick up points away from home. Once we get the mindset that we play away like we do at home we'll be fine," he said.
"At home I think we knock the ball around quite well and on the road we've got to start knocking the ball around. It's just about confidence."
"We've sat down as a group and spoken about it. We're positive we're a good enough team to win anywhere. We've just got to get it out of our heads and look forward to the next challenge in Perth."
There will be at least one forced changed to the starting line-up on Sunday. Manny Muscat is on international duty with Malta so Troy Hearfield is expected to slot in at right-back.
Jade North's arrival at the club has also been delayed by his Australian commitments but Ricki Herbert expected him to be available for the Phoenix's round six match at home to Sydney.