Football
Reuters 15y

UPDATE 2-Soccer-Arsenal's Eduardo wins appeal against diving ban

* UEFA overturns two-match ban on striker

* Eduardo free to play against Standard Liege

(adds Eduardo quotes, byline)

By Brian Homewood

ZURICH, Sept 14 - Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva
has won his appeal against a two-match ban imposed by UEFA for
diving in a Champions League qualifying game against Celtic.

"Following examination of all the evidence, notably the
declarations of both the referee and the referees' assessor, as
well as the various video footage, it was not established to the
panel's satisfaction the referee had been deceived in taking his
decision on the penalty," said UEFA in a statement on Monday.

"Therefore the decision of the UEFA control and disciplinary
body of Sept. 1, in which the player was suspended for two UEFA
club competition matches, is annulled," added European soccer's
ruling body.

The Brazilian-born Croatian international was initially
banned after winning a controversial penalty against Celtic.

Eduardo went down in the area after poking the ball past
goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who dived at his feet but appeared to
make little or no contact.

BROKEN LEG

The striker, who spent a year out of the game after
suffering a broken leg in February 2008, converted the penalty
to put Arsenal 1-0 ahead and 3-0 up on aggregate.

The Londoners eventually won 3-1 for a 5-1 aggregate
victory.

"I'm very pleased we have finally arrived at the truth,"
Eduardo told his team's website (www.arsenal.com). "All we
needed to do was prove what happened and we have managed to do
that.

"This decision makes me feel a lot better. I certainly feel
relieved now.

"All I remember of the incident is that as soon as I had
possession of the ball I headed towards goal at full speed. I
was very close to the Celtic keeper and felt contact on my foot
and then lost my balance," added Eduardo.

"I know perhaps more than anyone else that when you have
contact at speed it can be dangerous.

"I just want to say I'm a fair (honest) player. To score
goals you must take your opportunities and I'm not the type of
player who needs to be dishonest to score goals."

The decision to take action against Eduardo infuriated
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who described it as "disgraceful",
accusing UEFA of launching a witch hunt against his striker.

Eduardo is now free to play in Arsenal's first two Group H
matches at Standard Liege on Wednesday and at home to Olympiakos
Piraeus on Sept. 29.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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