Someone had to be the first player punished for a publicly derided rash of dives and embellishments, and it looks like D.C. United forward Charlie Davies is taking the first slap on the wrist. The MLS is fining Davies $1,000 for an 83rd minute dive against Real Salt Lake that led to a penalty kick and a controversial, game-saving 1-1 draw. The fine is seen as the first player punished retroactively by MLS for diving, setting a precedent for all players moving forward.

“The MLS Disciplinary Committee ruled that Charlie Davies intentionally deceived the officials and gained an unfair advantage which directly impacted the match. This type of behavior tarnishes the image of the League, is detrimental to the game and will not be tolerated,” said MLS Executive Vice President Nelson Rodriguez.

But does the fine on Davies warrant “putting the game into disrepute,” as the MLS likes to put it? Well, someone had to be the sacrificial lamb for everyone, since it were both players and coaches who approached the MLS earlier to push for stronger efforts in decreasing the dives and embellishments that have proliferated on this side of the pond. Unfortunately, some have taken this opportunity to take a jab at Davies himself, who see this as just one example of a slow burn after a meteoric rise following his car accident.