Uefa launches investigation after Celtic supporter 'attacks' Dida

Uefa will today launch an investigation into the farcical scenes at the end of Celtic's 2-1 victory over Milan at Parkhead last night when a home supporter raced on to the pitch and appeared to slap the visiting goalkeeper Dida.

Celtic's players and the vast majority of a 58,000 crowd here were celebrating Scott McDonald's winner, with virtually the game's final kick, when a fan ran out from the stand. He ran past Dida in the Milan goal, firstly gesturing in the face of the Brazilian before aiming a playful slap which seemed to connect with the goalkeeper.

The mere fact that a member of the crowd was allowed to get in such close proximity to the players is what will attract Uefa's attention - their delegate, Andreas Akkelides, has already confirmed to Celtic officials that the incident will be included in his report - but there was a large degree of farce associated with Dida's reaction.
The goalkeeper was barely touched and initially started to chase the supporter before dramatically falling to the ground clutching his face. He was then taken from the field on a stretcher and immediately substituted for the reserve goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac. If Uefa applies the same rules of simulation as when a player falls spectacularly without a reason then Dida may also be the focus of attention from European football's governing body given his over-elaborate antics.

Tellingly, last night, senior Milan officials, including Umberto Gandini, the general manager, confirmed to their Celtic counterparts that they will be making no complaint and there is therefore little or no prospect of the match result being overturned. "It had nothing to do with the final result anyway" said the Milan manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

Celtic have promised to launch "a full and immediate investigation" and will await news from Uefa, who are expected to receive the delegate report tomorrow before deciding whether or not to convene their independent disciplinary panel to look further at the case. Akkelides, a Cypriot, refused to comment publicly after the match and the Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan, claimed he did not see the incident.

Celtic have had no recent history of trouble in European competition and their supporters won a Fair Play award from Uefa as recognition of their exemplary behaviour during the run to the Uefa Cup final in 2003.

Strathclyde Police said last night it was investigating the incident. "An incident occurred during the match. Police are investigating but nobody has been detained at present," a spokesman said.