MILAN - AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini has joined the condemnation of UEFA's decision to ban Dida for two Champions League games after his theatrical reaction to being tapped by a pitch-invading Celtic supporter.
UEFA could still challenge their independent control and disciplinary body's decision to ban Dida and fine Celtic £25,000 following the security breach at Parkhead in the October 3 match.
European football's governing body had not reached that stage today, and were still in the process of preparing official notification of the respective punishments to send to Celtic and to Milan's Brazilian goalkeeper.
Dida's play-acting was found to have breached UEFA's "principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship".
That formal notice will include a full explanation of the 10-man panel's decision, which Maldini claims was completely unreasonable.
The veteran defender told www.acmilan.com: "I don't understand this difference in treatment.
"More than 10 years ago because of a small bottle thrown at a goalkeeper, they banned us from our ground for two match-days.
"Dida made a mistake, but I repeat, I don't understand the disparity of treatment."
The Serie A club's lawyer Leandro Cantamessa had already described the outcome as "disproportionate and illogical", and Milan have pledged to appeal.
Once they receive the official reasoning from UEFA, which is likely to be sent out on Monday, Milan will have three days in which to lodge their objection.
A UEFA spokesman confirmed to PA Sport it remained possible that the Nyon-based governing body could contest yesterday's verdicts themselves.
Rangers experienced a similar situation in the 2005-06 season when UEFA's appeals arm challenged the control and disciplinary body's decision to find the club's fans not guilty of discriminatory chants during the Champions League clash with Villarreal.
That direct action by UEFA chiefs resulted in Rangers being fined £13,300 and handed a severe warning about the future behaviour of their supporters.
Celtic have accepted their punishment, with half of the fine imposed on the club suspended for two years.
