Dida ban cut to one game

| Tue, 10/23/2007 - 03:27

Dida ban cut to one gameUEFA on Monday cut in half a two-game Champions League ban on AC Milan goalkeeper Nelson Dida for play-acting against Celtic earlier this month.

Milan had appealed against the original ban, which was inflicted for exaggerating a brush with a Scottish fan in Milan's 2-1 defeat in Glasgow.

With the ban now standing at one game, the Brazilian keeper will miss Wednesday's home game against Shakhtar Donetsk but now be available for the return in Donetsk on November 6.

Dida, 34, got the ban for breaking UEFA rules upholding "fairness, integrity and sportsmanship".

He was widely criticised for the incident, which took place in added time, shortly after the Scottish side scored its winner when Dida fluffed a save.

A Celtic fan made a one-man incursion, chucked Dida gratefully under the chin, and ran off with the goalie in initial pursuit.

After a few strides Dida changed his mind and fell theatrically to the ground, holding the side of his head.

He was given treatment on the field before being stretchered off.

According to most pundits, Dida was hoping to get the result of the match reversed.

Games are usually awarded to teams which are the victims of crowd violence.

Milan said immediately after the game that it would not complain to UEFA in a bid to overturn the result.

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