Wenger backs his man to the hilt

Arsene Wenger today branded UEFA's decision to charge Eduardo with diving a ‘complete disgrace’ and accused them of staging a ‘witch-hunt’ against the Arsenal striker.

European football's governing body has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatia international for ‘deceiving the referee’ in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Celtic.

Eduardo went down midway through the first half of the Champions League qualifier despite there appearing to be no contact with Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez still awarded a penalty, converted by Eduardo who was subsequently condemned by Celtic.

Wenger said: ‘I find it a complete disgrace and unacceptable. We won't accept the way we have been treated in this case for two reasons.

‘I believe that you can debate whether it was a penalty or not. For me it's a witch-hunt that we see and not an objective judgement of a case.

‘This charge implies there was intent and a desire to cheat the referee. Having watched the pictures again there was nothing conclusive.

‘It singles out a player in Europe to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. UEFA has taken action that is not defendable.’