Hoops braced for UEFA fine

Celtic are likely to escape with a fine today when UEFA rule on the one-man pitch invasion that marred their Champions League victory over AC Milan.

Scotland’s champions face charges of “lack of organisation and improper conduct of supporters” after a fan ran on to the Parkhead playing surface and taunted Milan goalkeeper Dida following Scott McDonald’s injury-time winner.

The Brazilian goalkeeper appeared to be slapped on the shoulder and initially gave chase to the fan, before falling theatrically to the ground.

He was then carried off on a stretcher while holding an ice pack to his face, before being replaced by Zeljko Kalac for the dying stages of Milan’s 2-1 defeat on Wednesday last week.

Dida and his club will also have their cases heard by UEFA’s control and disciplinary committee today after both were charged with breaching rules upholding “loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship”.

But Dida’s reaction, which was roundly ridiculed and was described as a “mistake” by Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti, will have no bearing on the judgment over Celtic’s security lapse.

Chaired by Austrian Dr Thomas Partl, the panel could in theory go as far as changing the result of the match. However, it is understood Celtic will avoid such a heavy punishment.

Celtic are likely to be fined and should avoid further sanction such as being forced to play behind closed doors.

UEFA are sympathetic to the fact that, with fences consigned to football’s history, there is always the potential for a supporter to breach security.

The 10 lawyers who make up the disciplinary committee will largely focus on how the intruder got on the pitch.

Celtic moved swiftly to hand a life ban to the supporter, 27-year-old Robert McHendry, who escaped back into the crowd but handed himself in to police the following day.

McHendry admitted a breach of the peace in court last Friday and will be sentenced next month.

Dida is also expected to be fined or handed a warning for his exaggerated reaction to the incident.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani last night claimed Dida had complained of feeling dizzy after the incident.

Galliani told Milan’s website, www.acmilan.com: “If someone feels dizzy, in any case, it’s right to substitute him.

“But I’m not a doctor, so I can’t say anything for sure, so I won’t.”

Ancelotti had previously tried to explain the club’s decision to substitute Dida, who played in Sunday’s 5-1 Serie A victory over Lazio.

“The fact that he came off was an evaluation which the doctor made, who did not know the extent of the damage and preferred to avoid any eventual risks,” the former Italy midfielder said.

And Ancelotti urged UEFA to recognise the 34-year-old’s past record and move on from the incident.

“The other night was a mistake,” he said. “I don’t know why he did it, but I think that the issue must be closed for all the demonstration of professionalism he gave through the years.”