October 05, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 22, 1428

LONDON, Oct 4: A 27-year-old man who slapped AC Milan goal-keeper Dida during Wednesday’s Champions league match at Celtic has been given a life ban by the Scottish club after owning up and being handed over to the police.

A statement on Celtic’s website (www.celticfc.net) on Thursday said the unnamed individual was in custody in Glasgow.

The incident at Celtic Park occurred just after Scott McDonald had scored a late goal to seal a 2-1 win for Celtic over the European champions in their Group D match.

Dida chased after the man then dramatically collapsed on the ground and was carried off on a stretcher after treatment.

Celtic face punishment from UEFA for the lapse of security at their stadium but Brazilian Dida could also be in trouble if he is judged to have simulated the extent of his injury.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said on its website: “Clearly, Celtic take this issue extremely seriously and it is satisfying that this individual has been identified so swiftly. The individual in question has now been banned for life from attending Celtic matches, both home and away.

“Our fans have a tremendous record of positive support for the club at home and abroad, something which has been recognised by both UEFA and FIFA, and we are sure this will continue.”

The man disappeared into the crowd after the incident and Strathclyde Police had issued a statement earlier on Thursday appealing for him to turn himself in.

UEFA has a history of severely punishing this sort of offence but made no comment apart from its usual statement that it would wait for German referee Markus Merk’s match report.

European football’s governing body confirmed any case brought would be handled by its Control and Disciplinary Committee.—Reuters