Eduardo Decision Arsenal Striker Two Games Response

Arsenal Striker Two Games Response

Arsenal striker Eduardo has been slapped with a two-match ban by European football's governing body UEFA for diving to win a penalty against Celtic last week. The Croatia international went down when there appeared to be minimal -- if any -- contact with visiting goalkeeper Artur Boruc in the Champions League qualifier.
Before today's decision, Arsenal had submitted a 19-page response to Uefa's charges, arguing that having also studied the video evidence, they felt that there was some element of contact from Boruc. They believed the footage Uefa sent them showed this and, therefore, the governing body's analysis was flawed.
Moreover, Arsenal contended it was impossible for Uefa or anybody to read any intention to deceive into Eduardo's tumble. They pointed out that he did not appeal for a foul and stressed Eduardo's blemish-free disciplinary record and the fact that, following his horrific leg break at Birmingham City in February 2008, he is generally mindful of the need to pull out of potential collisions.
Arsenal must decide whether to appeal within the next three days. The player himself is currently on international duty with Croatia.
He got up to score the opening goal from the penalty spot as the English club went on to beat their Scottish rivals 3-1 and progress into the group stages of Europe's premier club competition.