SFA chief urges punishment for 'diving' Eduardo

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith wants European governing body UEFA to punish Arsenal striker Eduardo after his dive won a penalty in their Champions League play-off game against Celtic on Wednesday.

"Eduardo showed disrespect to the game by his actions in winning a penalty against Celtic," Smith said.

"We have shown the courage to use retrospective punishment when it comes to simulation and I would urge UEFA to do so in this instance. Everything that can be done to stamp it out must be done. Starting right now."

Arsenal, who secured a 2-0 first leg victory at Celtic Park on August 18, effectively sealed the tie just before the half-hour mark when Croatian Eduardo won and converted the penalty, much to the displeasure of Smith.

"Everyone in football has a responsibility to set the right example to our youngsters. We can talk all we want about Fair Play campaigns, but taking action would be a much more powerful deterrent and would send the right message to players everywhere," he added.

Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati believes Eduardo should be treated the same way as Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas, who cheated to earn a spot-kick against Scotland at Hampden Park in September 2007.

Video evidence was used by UEFA to punish Mikoliunas, who was given a two-match ban.

"If it is clear on TV then UEFA must act against Eduardo and ban him," said Donati.

"I think he should get a two-match ban because it wasn't a penalty. I told him that and everyone in the Celtic team told him that."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger acknowledged Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc did not bring down Eduardo in the penalty incident but claimed his forward was taking evasive action.