UEFA charge Eduardo for "deceiving ref"
UEFA have charged Arsenal striker Eduardo with "deceiving the referee" after he took a dive to win a controversial penalty in the Gunners' 3-1 Champions League play-off victory over Celtic at the Emirates Stadium.
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Eduardo: Used simulation to win penalty
Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith and Celtic player Massimo Donati had both urged European football's governing body to take action after Wednesday's match and the Croatian could now face a two-match suspension.
UEFA said in a statement: "Having studied video evidence of the incident in question, the UEFA disciplinary inspector decided to charge the player concerned. The UEFA control and disciplinary body will examine the case on September 1.''
The charge is based on Article 10, paragraph 1c of the UEFA disciplinary regulations (misconduct of players) which states: "Players may be suspended for two competition matches, or for a specified period, for acting with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision or supporting his error of judgment and thereby causing him to make an incorrect decision.''
If Eduardo is banned he would miss Arsenal's Champions League clash away at Standard Liege on September 16 and the home match with Olympiacos on September 29.
Arsenal's comprehensive 5-1 aggregate win over Celtic was marred when Eduardo, making only his second start of the season for the Gunners, fell to the ground as Bhoys goalkeeper Artur Boruc made a challenge in the 28th minute.
The simulation conned Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez and the striker scored from the penalty spot to open the scoring in the second leg match.
After the match Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that "having seen it again on television, it doesn't look to be a penalty" before Smith waded into the debate.
The SFA had used retrospective punishment to sanction Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty, who feigned being headbutted by Aberdeen defender Charlie Mulgrew during an SPL game in May. And the SFA chief urged UEFA to do the same with Eduardo.
"We have shown the courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation and I would urge UEFA to do so in this instance. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done - starting right now," said Smith.
"Since I came into this 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.
"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.
"Eduardo is a terrific player who has battled back from a serious injury to resume playing at the highest level. However, last night he showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...league&cc=5901
UEFA have charged Arsenal striker Eduardo with "deceiving the referee" after he took a dive to win a controversial penalty in the Gunners' 3-1 Champions League play-off victory over Celtic at the Emirates Stadium.
![](http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2009/0826/eduardopenaltyvcfcs_275x155.jpg)
Eduardo: Used simulation to win penalty
Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith and Celtic player Massimo Donati had both urged European football's governing body to take action after Wednesday's match and the Croatian could now face a two-match suspension.
UEFA said in a statement: "Having studied video evidence of the incident in question, the UEFA disciplinary inspector decided to charge the player concerned. The UEFA control and disciplinary body will examine the case on September 1.''
The charge is based on Article 10, paragraph 1c of the UEFA disciplinary regulations (misconduct of players) which states: "Players may be suspended for two competition matches, or for a specified period, for acting with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision or supporting his error of judgment and thereby causing him to make an incorrect decision.''
If Eduardo is banned he would miss Arsenal's Champions League clash away at Standard Liege on September 16 and the home match with Olympiacos on September 29.
Arsenal's comprehensive 5-1 aggregate win over Celtic was marred when Eduardo, making only his second start of the season for the Gunners, fell to the ground as Bhoys goalkeeper Artur Boruc made a challenge in the 28th minute.
The simulation conned Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez and the striker scored from the penalty spot to open the scoring in the second leg match.
After the match Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted that "having seen it again on television, it doesn't look to be a penalty" before Smith waded into the debate.
The SFA had used retrospective punishment to sanction Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty, who feigned being headbutted by Aberdeen defender Charlie Mulgrew during an SPL game in May. And the SFA chief urged UEFA to do the same with Eduardo.
"We have shown the courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation and I would urge UEFA to do so in this instance. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done - starting right now," said Smith.
"Since I came into this 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.
"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.
"Eduardo is a terrific player who has battled back from a serious injury to resume playing at the highest level. However, last night he showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic."
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...league&cc=5901
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