It's amazing how football often gets reduced to diving, that's like saying baseball is just some guys standing around and spitting or hockey is just some guys looking for an opportunity to beat the crap out of each other even though it adds nothing to the game and doesn't score points.
Yes, diving was, is and always will be part of the game and depending on the degree, intention of both players involved, player's history and game history they get cards for it. Depending on a split second decision a referee has to make depending on how far he and his assistants are from where it's happening, which stands and won't/can't be changed on a table afterwards.
Because not every dive is for the sake of cheating but also serves to protect your health in certain situations. You have no protection except the shin guard and when your foot is on the ground and anchored anyone sliding, kicking or flying into you foot or feet first can injure you to the point of ending your career. This often happening while involved players are at top speed.
If you actively play football you know that because you face players that are simply not athletic and lack some control over their body when tackling you and don't mean harm, those who make bad decisions they regret afterwards and those who are actively out to injure you to get you out the game. In some cases for good.
No matter if you play as a kid on the street or later in a football club on MD level, national or international. It happens to Joe Average as it happens to Messi or Ronaldo, with the difference that the consequences for Joe Average are much harsher than paid players, so there will always be players diving, not just to cheat.
It's not like football supporters celebrate over the top/constant divers, on club level they get to feel the hate of their own team supporters.
Hate the players that do it too much, not the game.
Otherwise you miss out some amazing plays and memories like every sport has
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKOTKHtbM54