Source: Daily_Mail
SFA chief Smith dives into Eduardo row, demanding UEFA ban Arsenal striker
Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith has urged UEFA to punish Arsenal striker Eduardo for diving in the Champions League play-off round second leg against Celtic. Eduardo won a penalty in the Gunners' 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium after appearing to throw himself to the ground in the area. Smith wants UEFA 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. Controversial: Eduardo wins Arsenal's penaltyVideo evidence was used to sanction Mikoliunas, who was banned for two matches. UEFA rules state a player should be suspended for two games if found guilty of acting 'with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision.'UEFA are reluctant to intervene and use video to analyse decisions made by the referee during a match but this morning confirmed they would look at the incident at the Emirates Stadium.Reports from the referee and the match delegate will arrive in UEFA's offices in Nyon, Switzerland, within the next 48 hours. A UEFA spokesman said: 'The reports are examined by the disciplinary unit and a decision about whether the incident should be looked at further will then be taken. 'Celtic may also contact us if they have a complaint about the game.'The SFA recently applied that precedent to punish Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty, who feigned being headbutted by Aberdeen defender Charlie Mulgrew during a Clydesdale Bank Premier League game in May. Smith said: '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. '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. Gloves are off: Boruc remonstrates with the referee after his decision'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. 'Last night's incident also brings the whole issue of video evidence to the fore. I see absolutely no reason at all why we cannot use technology to assist referees - particularly in live games. 'I know that some people say that TV evidence would damage the flow of a game, but I believe the proposal that I put forward to both FIFA and UEFA whereby football would adopt a similar approach to tennis in offering a set number of challenges can work. '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.' Tough talking: UEFA chief PlatiniUEFA president Michel Platini said: 'There are disciplinary procedures at UEFA and the procedure could be taken to suspend the player.'Scotland often start such procedures, last time it was a Lithuania player who was sanctioned.'Platini said his plan of having two additional assistant referees, one behind each goal-line, would cut down on diving. The scheme is being trialled in this season's Europa League.He added: 'One day players will give up simulating because referees will see them. For years players have cheated because the referees were not of a good enough quality.'I am convinced if you have referees close by that will prevent players from simulating and players will take the right decision. I have always said better to have more referees than a multiplication of disciplinary procedures.'WATCH THE VIDEO Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati also called for Eduardo to be banned. 'If it is clear on TV then UEFA must act against Eduardo and ban him,' said Donati. '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.'The game was still 0-0 at the time, though Arsenal held a 2-0 advantage from the first leg. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger acknowledged Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc did not bring down Eduardo in the penalty incident but claimed his forward was taking evasive action. Celtic defender Glenn Loovens was 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.'Video call: Palace boss WarnockMeanwhile, Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock believes the use of video evidence, coupled with strong punishments for offenders, will put a stop to diving. Warnock told talkSPORT: 'Retrospective video evidence with a minimum six-game ban would stop it [diving] straight away. 'It's no good fining them [the players] because they get paid so much and managers aren't going to do it, as I know from personal experience, so it has to be retrospective evidence. 'Referees are not good enough to stop things like that even though he [the referee] was in a good position.'The guy [Eduardo] deliberately tried to 'leave' a foot, in order to get some contact with the goalie when he knew the keeper wasn't going to pull him down. It's one of those things. 'The only answer is using video evidence after the event because it's too quick. Sometimes I've thought from the first view 'it's a penalty,' and then you watch it and know it's not. So even professionals can't see it. Referees need help.' Why England boss Fabio Capello fears Gunners' Silva surfer Arsenal 3 Celtic 1 (agg 5-1): Gunners cruise past sorry Celtic in money spinning Battle of Britain ARSENAL FC