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UEFA's investigation into last night's events at Celtic Park may result in a fine for Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida as Celtic's chairman criticises him..

The Brazilian shot stopper had the worst possible night. At fault for both the Bhoys’ goals, he was then confronted by a fan who had invaded the pitch.

The supporter lightly tapped Dida on the cheek, but the towering custodian collapsed to the floor and was taken off on a stretcher.

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has asked UEFA to investigate the Milan ‘keeper’s reaction to the attack and has condemned his play-acting.

“I’m making no excuses for the behaviour, and the fan behaved disgracefully, but the contact made with the goalkeeper was minimal,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.

“The antics of Dida have to be taken into account as well as he took a couple of steps after the fan and then obviously made the decision he should go to ground.

“Unless I missed something he was carried off on a stretcher for what seemed to be the lightest tap you can imagine.”

UEFA communications director William Gaillard has revealed that there could be action taken shortly.

“One of our prosecutors will look at the evidence and decide whether to open an investigation,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I don’t want to presume anything. There is a whole range of possible punishments, but of course there are precedents for the same kind of incidents.”

Dida was the centre of a controversial situation two seasons ago when a flare hit him during a clash with Inter in the Champions League.

On that occasion the Nerazzurri were forced to play four games behind closed doors, but this time there is more ambiguity.

It is possible that a fine could even be levelled at Dida after he chased the fan and then over-reacted to the contact.

Whatever the decision, a humiliating night of indignity at Celtic Park is likely to follow the under-fire ‘keeper for the foreseeable future.


channel4

Serves him right!! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Rossoneri7]

Buffon has spoken out against any ban on Dida. He claims that he is not aware of the procedures of UEFA or FIFA, not does he know what the ultimate punishment might be. He says that what happened happened in mere minutes of caos and doesn't see why Dida should be punished since he already feels bad about his action.


On other news .. Galliani spoke to La 7 channel; where he spoke about last summer's mercato and Buffon's transfer to Milan .. He said that Milan asked for Buffon, but Juve's Gigi Cobli closed the door and stated that he was nontransferable. He also talked about Alex Del Piero and said, had we wanted Alex we would have gotten him in his prime when he was at Badova (spell), but Juve paid the high price tag ahead of Milan at the time. He then moved on to talk about Silvio Berusconi's reign at Milan; where he witnessed Milan claim 25 trophies, 16 2nd place finish, a feat that is unprecedented in the span of 20 yrs (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)



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[MizNelson]

No doubt UEFA will let Celtic off the hook, because they're conveniently ignoring the fact that the whole thing started only after a fan entered the pitch. Just you wait.

[kurtsimonw]

No doubt UEFA will let Celtic off the hook, because they're conveniently ignoring the fact that the whole thing started only after a fan entered the pitch. Just you wait.

I think they will get a fine of some sorts. Whatever Roma/United got last year. Maybe even be forced to play their other home group games behind closed doors.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Oct 10 2007, 08:23 PM

[MizNelson]

I think they will get a fine of some sorts. Whatever Roma/United got last year. Maybe even be forced to play their other home group games behind closed doors.

What's definite is that the result won't be reversed, but I can live with that.

Dida’s D-day arrives
Thursday 11 October, 2007
Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida will discover if he is to be punished by UEFA for his actions in Glasgow when a statement is issued this afternoon.

The Brazilian shot-stopper received widespread criticism for his theatrical reaction to a blow struck by a fan, who had invaded the pitch following the Rossoneri’s Champions League defeat at Parkhead.

UEFA have been watching video evidence to establish whether or not Dida is in violation of Article 5 of their code of behaviour.

This rule states: “member associations, clubs, as well as their players, officials and members, shall conduct themselves according to the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship.”

It is possible that Dida could be given a suspended sentence, but he may be handed a costly ban, which Milan can ill afford.

UEFA is taking a hard-line approach on sportsmanship and issued Lithuanian Saulius Mikoliunas a two-game ban for diving for a penalty against Scotland in September’s Euro 2008 qualifier.

Milan as a club will not face any action as their staff simply followed protocol by removing a player with a suspected head injury from the pitch.

UEFA's decision is expected to arrive at around 4pm.

Jesus, the media coverage of this whole thing is ridiculous. I think the American Idol finale received less publicity. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)