London: Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva has today been handed a two-game ban after being charged with deceiving the referee in last week's Champions League play-off against Celtic at the Emirates Stadium.
A statement on UEFA's official website confirmed the punishment, reading, "The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body today examined the case of the Arsenal FC player Eduardo 'for deceiving the referee' during the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg match on 26 August against Celtic FC, and has suspended the player for two UEFA club competition matches."
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had reacted angrily to the news that his player was to be charged last week, calling it a "witchhunt" and hinting that he felt his club and players were being unfairly targeted, and even that the amount of Scottish influence at UEFA had contributed to Eduardo being singled out.
Arsenal will be given an opportunity to appeal, with UEFA's statement continuing, "This decision may be appealed against by the club or player within three working days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision."
Goal.com
First Published: Wednesday, September 02, 2009, 13:15