Banning Eduardo is a good move, as long as UEFA are consistent

In football, you always know a story is an important one when on transfer deadline day, Sky Sports News are discussing it rather than reporting on numerous sightings of world class players at various airports across England.

I am of course referring to Arsenal forward Eduardo being given a two-match ban by UEFA for his blatant dive in his side’s Champions League qualifier against Celtic.

For those of you who haven’t "seen the incident", the Gunners’ striker conned Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez into awarding his side a penalty, clearly diving when Celtic ‘keeper Artur Boruc came out to meet the Brazilian-born front man..

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has come out and said that the decision to ban the Croatian international is a “complete disgrace”.

Now, whilst I have no sort of problem with Mr Wenger (I think he’s a brilliant manager who has produced some of the best players to grace the Premiership) in this case, I must say that his comments are totally out of order and actually make a very talented and clever man look incredibly silly.

Let us flip the situation around. Had Arsenal been in Celtic’s position, and been cheated by a penalty which effectively sealed their elimination from the biggest club competition in Europe (Not to mention the massive financial sum that goes with qualification), would he still be making the same noises about the ban being a “disgrace”? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Wenger has gone on to claim that the decision “singles out a player in Europe to be a cheat, and that is not acceptable”. I’ll tell you what isn’t acceptable, Mr Wenger: Cheating a referee into awarding a penalty after a dive that British Olympic diving hopeful Tom Daley would be proud of. Referee’s jobs are hard enough without players cheating.

Personally, I’m happy that UEFA has finally acted on the issue but hope that the buck doesn’t stop with Eduardo. Diving is cheating and should have no place in football, and hopefully the case of Eduardo will send a message to the Ronaldo’s, Eboue’s and Drogba’s of this world. Get caught diving and prepare to be banned.

UEFA’s next task is to stand firm on their decision, and continue enforcing it until players finally learn that diving has no place in football. Arsenal have already decided to appeal, calling the decision "deeply flawed". Please UEFA, for the love of football, forget the technicalities and just uphold the ban. Make an example of Eduardo and give any future perpetrators the same punishment.