UEFA set to act against Milan's 'play-acting' Dida after Celtic incident

The Brazilian was carried off on a stretcher after an incident involving a Celtic fan who ran on to the pitch following Scott McDonald's injury-time winner.

Watch the video below

The case against Milan and the player will be heard on Thursday by UEFA's disciplinary committee, who will also make a decision on charges against Celtic on the same day.

The charges against player and club relate to UEFA rules under which "member associations, clubs, as well as their players, officials and members, shall conduct themselves according to the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship".

Dida appeared to be slapped on the shoulder and initially gave chase to the fan, before falling to the ground.

He was then carried off on a stretcher while holding an ice pack to his face, before being replaced by Zeljko Kalac for the dying stages of Milan's 2-1 defeat.

The fan, 27-year-old Robert McHendry, escaped back into the crowd but he handed himself in to police the following day and admitted a breach of the peace in court last week.

UEFA announced then they had opened disciplinary proceedings against Celtic on charges of lack of organisation and improper conduct of supporters.

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has already admitted Dida's actions were a "mistake", and the European champions accepted the defeat.

Ancelotti said: "During the years, Dida has shown great sportsmanship and fairness - he was also hit by flares and he got up.

"The other night was a mistake. I don't know why he did it, but I think that the issue must be closed for all the demonstration of professionalism he gave through the years.

"I think that he made a mistake, but that's all.

"The fact that he came off was an evaluation which the doctor made, who did not know the extent of the damage and preferred to avoid any eventual risks."

Dida returned to action yesterday, on his 34th birthday, as Milan won 5-1 at Lazio in Serie A.

Celtic have banned McHendry and condemned his actions, but chairman Brian Quinn criticised Dida's actions in the aftermath of the game.

Quinn said: "I'm making no excuses for the behaviour, and the fan behaved disgracefully. But the contact made with the goalkeeper was minimal, absolutely minimal.

"The antics of the goalkeeper have to be taken into account as well.

"He took a couple of steps after the fan and then obviously made this decision that he should go to ground.

"Unless I missed something, he was carried off on a stretcher for what seemed to be the lightest tap you can imagine."