A Celtic fan was banned from attending the club’s matches for life on Thursday for running on the field during a Champions League match against AC Milan and clotheslining its goalkeeper, Dida. The life ban was imposed on the 27-year-old fan by the club itself; UEFA, the organizing body of the Champions League, has yet to rule on the matter.
Celtic may face sanctions from UEFA for the lapse in security, but Dida, too, could also be in trouble. Replay shows that the fan barely brushed the Milan keeper, who turned to run after him but then stopped and fell on the ground dramatically. Dida stayed on the ground, stopping play for several minutes before being stretchered off.
The incident occurred just after Milan conceded its second goal, and while the European champion went on to lose the match, 2-1, club officials said they would not appeal to have the result annulled or replayed. “‘It is a decision we have taken because we are European champions and must behave like that,” Milan VP Adriano Galliani told Rai TV. For Milan, it was yet another poor result to add to its disappointing start to the season. The Rossoneri have one win, two losses and four ties in their last seven matches in all competitions.