Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva has today been criticised, after his blatant dive earned Arsenal a penalty in their 3-1 win over Celtic last night.
The striker appeared to have been brought down by Celtic keeper Artur Boruc as he raced through the penalty area, however, replays showed the Brazilian born Croatia striker fell to the floor despite no contact from Boruc.
SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith today urged UEFA to punish the player;
“Eduardo is a terrific player who has battled back from 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.” 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 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.” He added.
Celtic’s Italian midfielder Massimo Donati, also called for punishment;
“If it is clear on TV then UEFA must act against Eduardo and ban him. I think he should get a two match ban because it wasn’t a penalty.” He said.
Donati’s team-mate Glen Loovens said he was disappointed to see the penalty awarded;
“It is very disappointing but that is football. It’s sad it happened to us. I don’t think it is really fair, but it helped his team take the lead. There is a referee and a linesman to see those kinds of things.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger defended his player;
“I never asked in my life any guy to dive to win a penalty but sometimes the players go down because there is no other way to escape the tackling of the keeper. Sometimes they dive.”
“I do not want a penalty which is not a penalty, but I do not go as far to say Eduardo dived. He went down, for what reason I do not know.”
Wenger’s backing of his player has received fierce criticism, with one neutral saying;
“I thought he’d just say he didn’t see it, but when they (ITV) showed him it I thought he’d have to admit it, but then he just started spouting nonsense. It disgusted me.”
Steve Cockwaltz, Home around 2 years, 5 months ago