ian1964 10,710 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 The Celtic striker Scott McDonald believes Uefa's "surprise" decision to overturn Eduardo da Silva's ban for simulation will make it harder than ever to stamp out diving in football. European football's governing body reversed its earlier verdict yesterday after vehement protests from Arsenal. The Croatia international controversially won a penalty when falling under a challenge from the Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc in their Champions League second-leg defeat at the Emirates, leading to Arsenal's opening goal of the night. "Yes, I think so," answered McDonald when asked whether Uefa's change of heart would render it more difficult to cut out diving. "They [uefa] set a precedent, went with it, and then turned it on its head so it will be interesting to see what happens next. "It is a surprise that they have gone back on their word. Obviously no one likes to see what happened but we understand it has become part of the game. We just need the people in charge to see these things." McDonald added that he felt the outspoken comments of Ars�¨ne Wenger, the Arsenal manager, against Eduardo's initial ban could have proved pivotal to the turnaround. "Possibly," the Australian said. "There is a lot of pressure on these [uefa] guys. If they pick up this one incident, as we have seen with other incidents which happened after it, and once the media get hold of it, it just seems to be that every time someone fell down there were big issues with it. "But how long has it been an issue?" Celtic's assistant manager Mark Venus was more reticent on the topic, insisting: "Uefa have made the decision in the best interests of what they think is right; they changed their mind on whatever evidence they have so you have got to go with that." The Scottish Football Association's chief executive, Gordon Smith, who issued a statement condemning Eduardo's actions the day after the game, refused to comment on the matter today. Smith has privately made it clear that, despite Wenger's hints to the contrary, he made no direct approach to Uefa to seek punishment for the Arsenal player. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/15/scott-mcdonald-celtic-eduardo-arsenal 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Cole 0 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Like Hitler condemning anti-Semitism. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted September 15, 2009 Share Posted September 15, 2009 Agree with you both, McDonald has a brass neck. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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