Wenger fumes over Eduardo charge

Wenger fumes over Eduardo charge

Published Sep. 12, 2009 3:50 p.m. ET

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has branded UEFA's decision to charge Gunners striker Eduardo with diving as a "complete disgrace".


downlevel descriptionThis video requires the Adobe Flash Player. Download a free version of the player.



European football's governing body has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatia international for "deceiving the referee" in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Celtic.

Eduardo went down midway through the first half of the Champions League qualifier despite there appearing to be no contact with Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez still awarded a penalty, converted by Eduardo who was subsequently condemned by Celtic.

Wenger said: "I find it a complete disgrace and unacceptable. We won't accept the way we have been treated in this case for two reasons.

"I believe that you can debate whether it was a penalty or not. For me it's a witch-hunt that we see and not an objective judgement of a case.

"This charge implies there was intent and a desire to cheat the referee. Having watched the pictures again there was nothing conclusive.

"It singles out a player in Europe to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. UEFA has taken action that is not defendable."

Eduardo could now miss Arsenal's opening two games of the Champions League group stage for the incident that even Wenger admitted resulted in a dubious penalty.

But the Frenchman sympathised with Eduardo taking evasive action in light of the career-threatening broken leg he sustained two seasons ago.

And furious Wenger claimed that UEFA would have difficulty proving the 26-year-old intended to deceive the referee.

ADVERTISEMENT
share