I agree with you on the actors and even though there is a sanction in the laws I would label those players as cheats. Funny huh?
The difference for me is that they pretend something happened, when it didn't. And some of them are very convincing.
Thierry (I think that's the Frenchman to whom you refer) claimed that it didn't touch his hand although there is footage to the contrary. To me that is cheating - sure, there is a sanction for a handball (if given).
This gives over to why a ref's job is difficult. Surely he should only blow to what he sees. But then he can't see everything so that's why you have the incidents where there is cheating. Bring in the technology and soccer will be cleaned up. We've proven that the decision can be made pretty quickly so the game won't be slowed down. Well, most certainly not more than the Oscar ceremony every time a Spainard comes within 10' of the opposition.
