Switzerland, Oct 8 (Reuters) - UEFA has opened disciplinary
proceedings against AC Milan and their goalkeeper Dida following
the Brazilian's controversial substitution during last week's
Champions League defeat away to Celtic. Dida was carried off on a
stretcher near the end of the Group D match after a Celtic fan
invaded the pitch and appeared to make light contact with the
goalkeeper. In a statement released on UEFA's web site
(www.uefa.com), European soccer's governing body said the case
would be discussed by its disciplinary body on Thursday. UEFA said
the proceedings had been instigated based on a paragraph of their
disciplinary regulations which states that 'players, officials and
members, shall conduct themselves according to the principles of
loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship'. Milan's lawyer Leandro
Cantamessa said the club's medical staff had decided the keeper
should be substituted as a precautionary measure. 'Milan did not
commit any disloyal act,' Cantamessa told Italian news agency
ANSA's Web site (www.ansa.it). 'The doctor could not take the
responsibility of keeping him on the field. This whole affair has
been blown up. 'We don't expect any sanction against Milan and, at
most, something very light for Dida.' Celtic are also facing
disciplinary action on Thursday for failing to prevent the
supporter from running on to the pitch following the winning
goal.
