Disagree with both of you.
I wouldn't call it cheating if he made the foul, but I do think that it is a bit sad that he's getting crticism for not doing it. I wouldn't have crticised if he had either.
Not sure what you mean by 'become so santized'. Fair play is the old school attitude. One time players were disappointed in themselves if they did something that merited them being booked if you go back long enough. Used to be a gentleman's culture to all sports, a belief in fair play and being a 'good sport'. The age of cynicism is now.