Arsenalist

This is by far the most realistic take I’ve read on the Eduardo situation.

However, Wales coach John Toshack has placed himself firmly on the opposite side of the debate by claiming that UEFA’s decision is “very, very dangerous for everyone”. The former Real Madrid manager also feels pressure from the Scottish community played a part in the punishment.

“It came at the end of a terrific move, and don’t forget he had been the victim of a bad injury and a bad tackle 18 months ago and he is only just back from his injury.

“He can see the Celtic goalkeeper flying out at him and I felt the lad was protecting himself. There is a difference between diving and getting out of the way of what could have been a nasty collision.

“You still can’t see clearly there was no contact from the replays. Trouble seems to follow that referee around. I know him from Spain, (Manuel Enrique) Mejuto Gonzalez, and he is very highly rated within UEFA. It will be interesting to see whether UEFA take any action against him, because he should have sent off the keeper and didn’t, if he felt it was a penalty.

“I also feel there is some Scottish influence on this one, and UEFA have made a knee-jerk reaction and it is a very dangerous precedent.

“If the referee thought it was a penalty, gave it, and didn’t send off the keeper. I thought that was the rule. And for all their complaining, Celtic had one of their own players disciplined for diving a few days later.

“The same thing happened when Arsenal lost at Manchester United soon after, Wayne Rooney got a penalty and the Arsenal keeper wasn’t sent-off. If referees feel it is deliberate, goalkeepers should get a red card. This sort of knee-jerk reaction from UEFA is very, very dangerous for everyone.”