Everton manager Roberto Martinez has said that referees are missing big decisions because certain players are guilty of diving and feigning injury.
The Catalan feels sorry for match officials, who are often lambasted by managers should they fail to make the right call, and believes that players and coaches themselves are to blame.
"I can be sympathetic with the referees," the 40-year-old told reporters. "It is so difficult to make big calls at the moment because you have certain players that more often than not try to simulate and try to go to ground easily.
"That makes the referee's decision a lot harder. We all need to accept and understand that referees, if they are not 100%, are not going to give the decisions. I think that is part of the game and it is our fault - we have done that.
"I think everyone who is involved in the game does not want to see it. I think it is down to all of us to try to eradicate that and get it out of the game."
Chelsea midfielder Oscar and Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj were booked for diving in matches on New Year's Day.
Michael Penkman
