Post by lions67 on Oct 12, 2007 13:01:02 GMT -3
Written by: AFP
AC Milan goalkeeper Dida, seen here in August 2007, has been suspended for two UEFA matches and Celtic fined 60,000 Swiss francs (35,760 euros/50,746 dollars) by European football´s governing body on Thursday following incidents at last week´s Champions League Group D game in Glasgow.
PARIS (AFP) - AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has been suspended for two UEFA matches and Celtic fined 60,000 Swiss francs (35,760 euros/50,746 dollars) by European football's governing body on Thursday following incidents at last week's Champions League game in Glasgow.
Dida was punished for overreacting after being slapped in the face by a Scottish fan near the end of the 2-1 Group D loss to the Scots.
The 34-year-old Brazilian initially started to chase after his assailant before theatrically slumping to the ground and rolling over a couple of times while clutching his face.
He was later seen applying an icepack to his cheek and was stretchered from the field when he was substituted.
UEFA said that the suspension was based on article five, paragraph one of the disciplinary regulations, which state: "Member associations, clubs, as well as their players, officials and members, shall conduct themselves according to the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship."
No disciplinary action has been taken against AC Milan.
Celtic, meanwhile, were fined after being found guilty of a lack of organisation and improper conduct by supporters at the match.
Half of the fine is deferred for a probational period of two years. This means that Celtic pay a 17,847 euro fine now, and if a similar offence is committed over the next two years, the other half will be added on.
Both sides have been given three days to appeal, which Milan have indicated they intend to do. The club's lawyer, Leandro Cantamessa, described the sanctions against Dida as "disproportionate and illogical."
"I have no issue with Celtic but I am only trying to establish a sense of proportion - one is the event, the other is only the effect of the event.
"It's about a suspension which is totally excessive and so we are definitely going to appeal".
Cantamessa said Dida's injury claim had been legitimate.
"Milan was acquitted because Dida told the doctor that he was dizzy and he needed to be replaced. So there must have been something," he said.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell welcomed UEFA's decision.
"As a club we feel this penalty is proportionate to the incident in question and a fair outcome," Lawwell told the club's website.