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Uefa charges Eduardo for 'diving'
Uefa has charged Arsenal's Eduardo for "deceiving the referee" after he appeared to dive to win a penalty in the Champions League win over Celtic. European football's governing body could ban the Croatian striker for up to two games when its disciplinary body examines the case on 1 September.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger called the decision a "complete disgrace". "It singles out a player to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. We will not accept the way Uefa have treated this."
If Eduardo is suspended he would miss Standard Liege away on 16 September and the home match with Olympiacos on 29 September.
And Wenger added: "I believe you can debate whether it is a penalty or not. But this charge implies that with intent and with a desire to cheat the referee, Eduardo did act. Having seen again the pictures, nothing is conclusive on that."
There appeared to be no contact between Eduardo and Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc but referee Manuel Gonzalez still gave a penalty midway through the first half. After Eduardo converted the resulting spot kick, the Gunners went on to win 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. They won 5-1 on aggregate to secure a spot in the group stages.
Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has called for the Brazil-born Eduardo to be banned over Wednesday's penalty incident at the Emirates.
"Eduardo showed disrespect to the game by his actions," he said. "We have shown courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation. I'd urge Uefa to do so. Since I came into post I have raised the issue of simulation time and time again - both here in Scotland and with Fifa and Uefa. I don't think that I have received enough support in my efforts to eradicate what I believe to be one of the most serious threats to the integrity of football. Last night showed exactly why we must take this issue seriously. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done. Starting right now."
Uefa president Michel Platini believes additional assistant referees behind each goal line would combat diving. He said: "One day players will give up simulating because refs will see them. I am convinced that you have referees nearby, then you will stop this."
Celtic had travelled to the Emirates 2-0 down from the first leg in Glasgow, when Arsenal had been the better side but had scored with a deflection and an own goal. The first goal in London, then, was likely to be crucial and Boruc was incensed when Gonzalez pointed to the spot.
"I see no reason why we cannot use technology to assist referees," said Smith. "We need a serious debate on these issues. Everyone in football has a responsibility to set the right example to our youngsters. We can talk all we want about Fair Play campaigns, but taking action would be a much more powerful deterrent and would send the right message to players everywhere."
Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati is another who is keen to see Uefa use video evidence.
"If it is clear on TV, then Uefa must act and ban him," said Donati. "I think he should get a two-match ban because it wasn't a penalty. I told him that and everyone in the Celtic team told him that."
Donati believes Eduardo should be treated the same way as Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas, who was punished for diving against Scotland at Hampden Park in September 2007. After that occasion Uefa used video evidence before giving Mikoliunas a two-match ban.
Uefa has charged Arsenal's Eduardo for "deceiving the referee" after he appeared to dive to win a penalty in the Champions League win over Celtic. European football's governing body could ban the Croatian striker for up to two games when its disciplinary body examines the case on 1 September.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger called the decision a "complete disgrace". "It singles out a player to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. We will not accept the way Uefa have treated this."
If Eduardo is suspended he would miss Standard Liege away on 16 September and the home match with Olympiacos on 29 September.
And Wenger added: "I believe you can debate whether it is a penalty or not. But this charge implies that with intent and with a desire to cheat the referee, Eduardo did act. Having seen again the pictures, nothing is conclusive on that."
There appeared to be no contact between Eduardo and Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc but referee Manuel Gonzalez still gave a penalty midway through the first half. After Eduardo converted the resulting spot kick, the Gunners went on to win 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium. They won 5-1 on aggregate to secure a spot in the group stages.
Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has called for the Brazil-born Eduardo to be banned over Wednesday's penalty incident at the Emirates.
"Eduardo showed disrespect to the game by his actions," he said. "We have shown courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation. I'd urge Uefa to do so. Since I came into post I have raised the issue of simulation time and time again - both here in Scotland and with Fifa and Uefa. I don't think that I have received enough support in my efforts to eradicate what I believe to be one of the most serious threats to the integrity of football. Last night showed exactly why we must take this issue seriously. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done. Starting right now."
Uefa president Michel Platini believes additional assistant referees behind each goal line would combat diving. He said: "One day players will give up simulating because refs will see them. I am convinced that you have referees nearby, then you will stop this."
Celtic had travelled to the Emirates 2-0 down from the first leg in Glasgow, when Arsenal had been the better side but had scored with a deflection and an own goal. The first goal in London, then, was likely to be crucial and Boruc was incensed when Gonzalez pointed to the spot.
"I see no reason why we cannot use technology to assist referees," said Smith. "We need a serious debate on these issues. Everyone in football has a responsibility to set the right example to our youngsters. We can talk all we want about Fair Play campaigns, but taking action would be a much more powerful deterrent and would send the right message to players everywhere."
Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati is another who is keen to see Uefa use video evidence.
"If it is clear on TV, then Uefa must act and ban him," said Donati. "I think he should get a two-match ban because it wasn't a penalty. I told him that and everyone in the Celtic team told him that."
Donati believes Eduardo should be treated the same way as Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas, who was punished for diving against Scotland at Hampden Park in September 2007. After that occasion Uefa used video evidence before giving Mikoliunas a two-match ban.