Jan. 25 (Bloomberg) -- National Basketball Association players who fake fouls might soon be penalized themselves, a league official said.

The NBA is studying how often feigned fouls, known as ``flops,'' occur and whether officials can consistently tell the difference between actual fouls and embellishments, said Stu Jackson, the executive vice president for basketball operations.

``They're really difficult to determine in real time. They're meant to fool an official,'' Jackson told reporters today. ``Are we going to be wrong more times than not? It's tough, but we're looking at it.''

FIBA, the governing body for international basketball, allows referees to impose a technical foul for flopping, a penalty that Jackson said the NBA is considering. Other sports, including soccer and hockey, also allow officials to penalize players who embellish fouls.

``We have so many more plays than you do in a football or soccer game and in a more intimate environment,'' said Jackson, who didn't offer a timetable for a decision.

Jackson met with reporters in New York to discuss the league's officiating program.

To contact the reporter on this story: Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: January 25, 2007 15:03 EST