Berlusconi stands by Dida

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that goalkeeper Dida’s over-reaction to being struck by a Celtic fan towards the end of the recent Champions League game at Parkhead was a “mistake”.

UEFA have since banned the Brazilian for two matches for breaching their “principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship”, meaning he will miss back-to-back games against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Berlusconi told www.acmilan.com: “It’s hard to understand what goes through the mind of a player when those things happen.

“It can also happen to a great champion, to make a mistake.”

The Milan supremo is nevertheless sticking by the Brazil international, with Berlusconi adamant that the Italian club – who lost 2-1 at Celtic – owe him a debt of gratitude for past heroics.

“I consider Dida a great goalkeeper,” he continued. “Let’s not forget he insisted on playing in Glasgow despite a problem to his shoulder.

“We owe Dida one of our Champions League victories, the one in 2003 in Manchester against Juventus (which was decided on penalties).

“It was him against (Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi) Buffon – he made the saves while Buffon didn’t. Dida made us win the trophy.”

Milan are awaiting a full explanation of the punishment handed down to Dida by UEFA before deciding whether to appeal the ruling.

The Celtic fan who ran onto the field was banned for life by the Scottish champions, who were also fined £12,500 over the incident.