Arsenal announced that it will appeal the two-match ban UEFA imposed on Eduardo da for diving against Celtic during a Champions League qualifier.
“We strongly believe that the decision taken is deeply flawed and not based on any forensic review of the video evidence available,” Arsenal said in a statement Thursday. “There are obvious errors and inconsistencies in UEFA’s judgment and we intend to appeal.”
A UEFA disciplinary panel ruled that Eduardo had deceived the referee and imposed the suspension, causing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to describe UEFA’s action against his player as a “witch hunt.” Eduardo will miss Arsenal’s opening Champions League group matches, against Standard Liege on Sept. 16 and Olympiakos two weeks later unless the appeal succeeds.