Arsenal´s Eduardo hit with UEFA diving charge

European football’s ruling body UEFA have charged Arsenal striker Eduardo with diving to win a penalty against Celtic in their midweek clash at the Emirates.

The Brazil-born Croatian could now be handed a UEFA suspension that will rule him out of the Gunners’ first two Champions League group games.

Following complaints by Celtic and Scottish football bosses UEFA decided to study video evidence of the incident, which saw Eduardo falling to the ground despite no evidence of contact being made with Celtic ‘keeper Artur Boruc.

UEFA then opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatia international for “deceiving the referee”.

A statement on Friday said: “Having studied video evidence of the incident in question, the UEFA disciplinary inspector decided to charge the player concerned. The UEFA control and disciplinary body will examine the case on September 1.”

It means Eduardo could now be sanctioned in accordance with Article 10, paragraph 1c of the UEFA disciplinary regulations (misconduct of players) which states: “Players may be suspended for two competition matches, or for a specified period, for acting with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision or supporting his error of judgment and thereby causing him to make an incorrect decision.”