I love people who say "soccer is such a pansy sport"

(bbc)


These people weren't tuned into the Celtic/A.C. Milan match on the evening. Celtic has one of the liveliest stadiums in the whole of Europe. And last evenings match against the current club champions of Europe, A.C. Milan, was no different. Well.. there was a difference. The violence that happens at the park is usually limited to Celtic/Rangers matches. This was a bit different. Celtic scored the go-ahead goal with little time remaining in the match and a Celtic fan ran from the bleachers and whacked the Brazilian International keeper for Milan, Dida, in the back of the head.

Personally, I think it's quite amusing. Dida chased after the guy and then fell down and had to be carried off on a stretcher. I wish I would have been there. Now don't get me wrong, I love Milan and Dida is a great keeper. But chasing after the guy? Let the cops do it. That's why they are there.

Apart from it being a stunning ending to a great game for the Glasgow boys, this could spell disaster for them. They are currently ahead of A.C. by goal differential in their group. However, UEFA is in the process of investigating the incident and they will make their decision when the match report from the referee is handed in.

How can this spell disaster for the parties involved? Parties, you ask. Yes, I mean parties. Dida will be reviewed as well. If it is found that he faked his injury, he could face fines and possibly a suspension from the remainder of the group stages. I must add that I am strictly speculating on the actions against Dida. What I am not speculating on is the actions that can be taken against Celtic. They could have the three points that they earned honestly, revoked if disciplinary board sees fit.

That's simply not far to the team. Celtic played a hard game and won against the European Champions fairly. The supporter who charged the pitch, a 27 year old male, has been banned from both domestic and international fixtures that Celtic may play. Even the coaching staff at Milan are going easy about it. They have went on record as saying that they don't see a need for a change to the result.

Hooiganism happens in football, all of us fans know that. UEFA really can't impose sanctions on a club because a fan got past Glasgow cops. And if Milan are fine with it, then it shouldn't even be handed over to a prosecutor for the organization. If anyone should press charges, it should be Dida, assuming he is out of the hospital before the statute of limitations is up. Don't punish the club because someone can't grow up. That goes for both the fan and you too, Mr. Dida.