Dida Banned for 2 UEFA Champions League Matches
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UEFA banned AC Milan goalkeeper Dida from the next two UEFA Champions League matches for faking injury in Milan's 2-1 loss to Celtic. A Celtic supporter ran onto the field and made minimal contact with Dida as he ran through the goalbox. Dida then chased the supporter for a few steps, he then fell to the ground clutching his face.
I honestly think that both Milan & Dida dodged a huge bullet. UEFA could have easily used Dida as a way to make an example for those who fake injury or flop when there is minimal or no contact from anyone on the field. Doing so is stupid and cheap. Players who do that are scum and should not be playing professional soccer.
Rivaldo did something very similar in the first game of the 2002 World Cup when Hakan Unsal kicked the ball towards Rivaldo who was standing over the corner spot. The ball hit Rivaldo in the shin, yet he clutched his face, fell to the ground and rolled around like a sniper hit him in between the eyes from the lights. Unsal was sent off and Brazil won the match 2-1. Rivaldo said he did it to gain an advantage over Turkey.
This type of behavior is the exact crap that needs to be weeded out of global football. Dida should have seen a four match ban, which would rule him out of teh rest of the group stage matches. Rivaldo should have been banned by FIFA from the rest of the 2002 World Cup. If these types of acts aren't dealt with harshly, then they will continue to be done and used to cheat the other clubs/teams.
