Source: SKY_Sports
Rakitic - Ban gives England edge
Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic believes Eduardo's performance against England could be hampered by the fallout from the striker's Uefa ban.
The Arsenal player has been handed a two-match European suspension at club level for going to ground when under pressure from Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc in August's Champions League meeting.
Uefa deemed the incident to be a 'dive' and banned Eduardo, much to the disappointment of Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
Rakitic is annoyed his international team-mate will have to deal with the stigma of the ban when Croatia face England at Wembley on Wednesday in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
"Eduardo is very angry about his punishment," Schalke's Rakitic said in The Sun.
"And it is hardly positive for us because every action involving him will be questioned and this could affect his performance.
"Dudu is not a diver. I have seen professional divers in other countries who are specialists at making penalties, but Eduardo does not use this strategy.
"Two matches is an exaggerated punishment. Other players who have received red cards for kicking people get the same, but what Eduardo did bears no comparison."
