Dida, the AC Milan goalkeeper, has been banned for two Champions League matches by Uefa following the incident at Celtic Park last Wednesday night when he collapsed and feigned injury after being tapped on the shoulder by a Celtic supporter who had invaded the pitch to celebrate what turned out to be the home side's winning goal.

The Brazil goalkeeper gave chase to the Glaswegian fan Robert McHendry for a few seconds before pausing, giving some thought to his next move, and then slumping to the ground as if he had been shot. It proved to be a costly error of judgment:Dida will miss the home and away games with Shakhtar Donetsk, though Milan have said they intend to appeal the punishment.

European football's governing body has been increasingly willing to clamp down on cheats, fearing that their antics are tarnishing the image of the game.

“The proceedings have been instigated under article 5 of the disciplinary regulations – principles of conduct – under which [players] shall conduct themselves according to principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship,” Uefa had said previously in bringing the charges.

The control and disciplinary body later handed Celtic a fine of 30,000 Swiss francs (£12,485) for the actions of their supporter, with another suspended fine of 30,000 Swiss francs to be paid if the club fails to control its fans again in the next two years. The Scottish Premier League leaders had been extremely anxious about the outcome of Uefa’s findings and will be delighted at the end result, having avoided the harsher sanction of being ordered to play games behind closed doors.

Peter Lawwell, the Celtic chief executive, praised Uefa’s verdict. “As a club we feel this penalty is proportionate to the incident in question and a fair outcome," he said.

“Celtic Football Club took this matter extremely seriously and following an immediate internal investigation took swift and firm action against the offender in question. Celtic Football Club will continue to take all organisational, security and health and safety matters as its first priority.

“We have one of the best health and safety records in Europe and we will continue to work to ensure that Celtic Park remains one of the finest Champions League venues in the game.”

Milan, for their part, have supported Celtic and were adamant after the match that the incident had not affected the outcome of the game and that they did not want it replayed.

McHendry himself was subsequently found guilty in Glasgow Sherrif Court last Friday of a breach of the peace, the court having decided that there were no grounds on which to charge him with assault. He has, however, been banned for life from the club’s matches, home and away.