Milan still awaiting Dida ban explanation

AC Milan is still awaiting a full explanation of the two-match ban the UEFA levied on goalkeeper Dida.

MILAN - AC Milan believe there is a good chance UEFA will reduce the two-match ban meted out to their goalkeeper Dida for play-acting after an incident on the pitch with a Celtic fan in their recent Champions League clash.


Milan are awaiting a full explanation of the punishment from UEFA, which they are due to receive on Monday, before appealing.


The fan who ran onto the field was banned for life by Celtic, but the club was only fined £12,500 for "lack of organisation" and "improper conduct of supporters".


They avoided a stadium ban, and AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani believes that amounts to no punishment for the Bhoys.


"We believe the ban (for Dida) is excessive," Galliani said on Monday.


"There is a fact that has been forgotten, that of a man entering the pitch, hitting our goalkeeper and not being punished.


"We will try to have the ban reduced even if we still don't know the motivations behind UEFA's decision."


Should Milan fail to have the ban reduced, Dida would miss the back-to-back Champions League Group D encounters against Shakhtar Donetsk but would be available to play at Benfica on November 28.