Scottish FA chief wants Arsenal´s Eduardo punished

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith wants UEFA to punish Arsenal striker Eduardo for diving in the Champions League play-off round second leg against Celtic.

Eduardo won a crucial penalty in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday after tumbling theatrically to the turf as Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc came out to make a save.

Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati called for Eduardo to be banned in the aftermath of the match and Smith wants UEFA, European football’s governing body, to act retrospectively to punish the Croatia international in the same way they dealt with Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas, who cheated to earn a spot-kick against Scotland at Hampden Park in September 2007.

Video evidence was used to sanction Mikoliunas, who was banned for two matches.

Smith said: “Eduardo is a terrific player who has battled back from a serious injury to resume playing at the highest level.

“However, on Wednesday he showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted it was not a penalty and Donati, who scored Celtic’s goal in stoppage time, added: “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. I told him that and everyone in the Celtic team told him that.”

Celtic defender Glenn Loovens was also in no doubt Eduardo had dived.

“I don’t think he even speaks English so there was no point talking to him,” Loovens added.

“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 kind of things.”