1
All the cynical stuff that wins games without playing well - diving, time-wasting, tactical fouls, faking injuries, crowding the ref, winding up opponents. Purists hate it, but it's everywhere and it works. Some players and managers treat it as a legitimate tool. Atlético Madrid under Simeone are experts at it.
Atlético Madrid under Diego Simeone have elevated the dark arts to an art form - their ability to slow games down, frustrate opponents, break up rhythm, and extract every marginal advantage has won them titles against more talented but less streetwise opponents.
Robbie
Jan 11, 2026
Have a different take?
Think there's another way to define The Dark Arts? The Football Dictionary is built by the community — submit your own definition and let others vote on it.
Submit Your Definition