[GocartMozart]

Milan angry at Dida's two-match Bhoy ban

AC Milan have described UEFA's decision to hand Celtic a small fine but ban goalkeeper Dida for two Champions League matches as a 'disproportionate and illogical' response to last week's Parkhead drama.


Celtic must cough up £12,500 now, with the same sum suspended for two years, after a 27-year-old home supporter ran on to the pitch and gave Dida a cheeky tap following Scott McDonald's winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Milan on October 3.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body last night found Celtic guilty of charges of 'lack of organisation' and 'improper conduct of supporters', and the financial penalty was described by Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell as 'proportionate to the incidence in question and a fair outcome'.

Celtic could have received a far greater punishment and will not appeal, however Milan have confirmed they will mount a challenge to UEFA's independent control and disciplinary body verdict.

Dida's reaction to being approached by the fan was found to have breached UEFA's 'principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship'.

AC Milan lawyer Leandro Cantamessa said: 'The impact of the sentence is 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.'

Dida, 34, who writhed around in feigned agony in the goalmouth when he was barely tapped by the Celtic supporter, received no sympathy from the 10-man disciplinary body.

Cantamessa said: 'In this decision, logic and balance are lacking. There is the technical (possibility) of a second level of justice - we can get witnesses, develop arguments. We will see.'

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell was pleased with the outcome, and said: 'As a club we feel this penalty is proportionate to the incident in question and a fair outcome.

Unless Milan win their appeal, or unless UEFA themselves contest the independent disciplinary body's decision, as they can, Dida will miss the Italian club's Champions League games against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Celtic acted swiftly to punish the 27-year-old supporter, who turned himself in to police and has since admitted a breach of the peace in court and will be sentenced next month. He has been banned by Celtic for life from the club's matches, home and away.

Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs, admitted the Scottish club had received a favourable result.

Rafferty told PA Sport: 'I am delighted. As far as Celtic football club and the fans are concerned it's a fantastic decision.

'There are always some rumours when these committees get together and one strong one was that the fine could be heavy and another was there could be the closure of the ground.

'That would have been a disaster for the club and the fans.

'But the decision was as good as we could have expected.

'As far as Dida is concerned, UEFA must see that as justice being done and that is a problem for AC Milan.'

i don't understand how they can't believe it. he's on the ground like a little panzy. everyone saw it, it's so shockingly immature, and yet Milan is defending this?! Am I missing something or are they just being wankers?

maybe it's just the media taking their comments out of context.

[macca247]

still yet to see it lol will have to go on youtube take a look

[rawdon]

Faintest of touches, and yet the goalkeeper goes down like he took a sniper's bullet. It's simulation, the kind of thing that outfield players should be booked for.

What makes it worse is that it was an already tense situation and his actions could have provoked something worse. Just like players celebrating in front of or baiting opposition fans.

[zarafa]

well it reminded me of what rivaldo did in the world cup against turkey when he was shoot with the ball on his legs and went down in agony covering his face, i swear he looked like a monkey just as dida looked like a monkey to against celtic.
i don't understand what exactly AC Milan cannot believe? as far as i am concerned he got off easy with just 2 games ban, he should have got banned for rest of GROUP games.
Dida looked very stupid, silly, immature and a big fat LAIR that night, and now Milan defending him makes the club looks bad by supporting him, he should get a punishment from the club in addition to UEFA 2 games ban, this would make AC Milan image much better, instead they have gone to do the complete opposite. supporting a LAIR makes you a LAIR

[mrsirjojo]

It's shameful the way people defend their own when they know their own is a little pansy. Guys like Dida give the game such a bad rep amoungst the non supporters. I'd have banned him a lot longer.

[Hoangzah]

I wonder why the supporter even got on the field (security???)

[Ivan_11]

I think hey should ban him forever, as well as many players of AC Milan. If there is one club i hate then surely its Milan...