04/10/2007

Football Fan Hands Himself Into Police

A 27-year-old man who ran onto the pitch during Wednesday night's Champions League match between Celtic and Inter Milan has been arrested after handing himself into police.

It is understood that the man handed himself into a Glasgow police station on Thursday afternoon and he is currently being questioned.

According to reports, Celtic have banned the man from both home and away games for life.

The incident happened at Celtic Park on Wednesday, after Celtic scored a last-minute winning goal. The supporter ran onto the pitch and appeared to strike Milan's goalkeeper, Nelson Dida.

The Brazilian keeper initially chased the supporter for a few steps, before collapsing and being taken off the field on a stretcher.

The supporter ran off the pitch following the incident.

Uefa and Celtic both launched investigations after the incident. It was reported on Thursday that Uefa suspected Dida of playacting. However, the footballing body are still awaiting the referee's report and are considering taking television evidence into account.

Celtic could face penalties from Uefa as a result of the incident, including disqualification from the Champions League, although this is thought to be extremely unlikely.

A flare hit Dida during a Champions League quarter-final match against Inter Milan in 2005.

Inter were subsequently fined £132,000 and instructed to play their next four European matches behind closed doors as a result of the incident.

Dutch side Feyenoord were disqualified from last year's contest due to crowd trouble.

(KMcA)




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