It’s not that uncommon to discern fans running onto the football pitch to get at opposition players. Indeed, incidents such as fans rushing on to physically assault the payers have become quite frequent in Argentina and even Italy in recent years. Ghastly as the entire phenomenon may seem, it’s an almost indispensable part of the football culture.
But it’s strictly prohibited by FIFA rules, whether for good or for bad, that a player retaliates whenever such incidents occur. A footballer ought to maintain the decorum, decency and sportsmanship spirit during a football match.
In this context AC Milan goalkeeper Dida’s infamous and truly bizarre act to follow the Glasgow Celtic fan who hit him during the side’s UEFA Champions League clash last week is unlawful. It was his dash towards the fan and then the dramatic collapse that has forced UEFA to launch an investigation into the fiasco and even a charge has been leveled both at Dida and AC Milan.
What happened on Wednesday evening at Celtic Park would go down into the annals of football history as an incident worthy of being selected for an Oscar. Immediate to the eventual winning goal for Celtic tucked in by Scott McDonald deep into injury time, a Celtic fan galloped onto the pitch and hit Dida. The Milan goalkeeper then gave chase but after moments later collapse onto the ground like parchment. He was then substituted.
The Celtic fan has since been banned for life although the Scottish club’s website refused to identify the culprit. Dida’s role in the incident has been hugely ridiculed by the football world and this time UEFA has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against the 34-year old Brazilian international.
Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended his player and has asked for leniency. He says that Dida’s past record is clean and the one-off reckless act on Wednesday must be pardoned. Dida was also at the receiving end of a firecracker during Milan’s Champions League, quarter-final match against city rivals Inter Milan at the San Siro in 2005.
UEFA’s investigation is on the basis of Article 5 of its disciplinary regulations. The step taken by UEFA, probe into the incident, is laudable, but it is likely that both Milan and Dida would be let off with a rebuke and a few thousand dollars fine.
Image Source: Reuters
Source: BBC
