Hoops set to escape severe sanction

UEFA are set to launch disciplinary proceedings against Celtic after a fan clashed with AC Milan goalkeeper Dida but the club are likely to escape with a fine.

A Celtic supporter ran onto the pitch after their late winner in the 2-1 victory over Milan and appeared to tap Dida on the shoulder.

Sources close to European football's governing body say there is no likelihood of the result of the match - which Celtic won 2-1 - being changed as a punishment.

Dida's antics - he exaggerated the incident and was carried off on a stretcher - will also be taken into account by UEFA's control and disciplinary body although it is very unlikely any action will be taken against him personally.

That, and the fact that Celtic have a good record in Europe in terms of crowd control, should help the club avoid any stringent punishment such as being ordered to play a game behind closed doors.

UEFA's communications director William Gaillard said a decision would be taken once the report had between received from referee Markus Merk.

Gaillard told PA Sport: "There will certainly be an investigation into the pitch invasion because the onus is on the club to control supporters inside their ground.

"On safety grounds, we are in favour of stadiums without fences but we realise that means there is always a risk of some idiotic person running on to the pitch."

Meanwhile, Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has condemned the behaviour of the fan as "disgraceful" but felt Dida was guilty of making the most of "minimal" contact.

Quinn told BBC Radio Five Live: "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."