Milan's Dida facing Uefa action
Dida and AC Milan face Uefa's disciplinary committee on Thursday
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Monday, 08, Oct 2007 10:43
Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against AC Milan and goalkeeper Dida following the 'assault' incident at Celtic Park last week.
The governing body of European football has acted following a massive public outcry from fans across the continent who have condemned the Brazilian shot-stopper for what appeared to be a unnecessarily dramatic reaction to the 'assault' from a supporter.
During their 2-1 defeat in the Champions League, Milan's goalkeeper was struck by a fan who ran on to the pitch to celebrate the Scottish champions' last-minute winner against the European Cup holders.
Celtic face a disciplinary hearing this Thursday on charges of "lack of organisation and improper conduct of supporters" (in contravention of articles six and 11c of the Uefa regulations).
AC Milan stated after the match that they did not wish to call for disciplinary action against Celtic over the incident, nor did they want to match replayed or the result amended - apparently in a bid to gloss over the event for fear of the club and Dida facing disciplinary action themselves.
However Uefa has moved quickly to announce they have charged the Italian club with a breach of article one, paragraph five of the disciplinary regulations, which states "member associations, clubs, as well as their players, officials and members, shall conduct themselves according to the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship".
The case will be heard on Thursday alongside Celtic's hearing.
Potential punishments for Dida could be anything from a warning to a fine and a suspension from European competition.
Celtic face a number of possible sanctions - anything from a basic fine and a mandate to play future home matches behind closed doors; up to the award of the match in question to AC Milan or even expulsion from the competition.