Milan confirm Dida appeal

AC Milan today confirmed they have appealed against UEFA’s decision to ban goalkeeper Dida for two Champions League games.

The Brazilian was punished for breaching UEFA’s “principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship” for his over-reaction to being struck by a Celtic fan in the Champions League game at Parkhead earlier this month.

If the suspension is upheld, Dida will miss the back-to-back Champions League games against Shakhtar Donetsk, the first of which will be held at the San Siro next Wednesday.

“We have just sent the appeal to UEFA for Dida,” said Milan’s vice-president Adriano Galliani.

“The important thing is that a definite decision is taken before next Wednesday’s Champions League game.

“Dida hasn’t done anything, in fact he was hit.”

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has admitted that Dida’s reaction was a “mistake”.

He 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.”

The Celtic fan who ran onto the field was banned for life by the Scottish champions, who were also fined €18,000 over the incident.