LONDON - Arsenal striker Eduardo was banned for two matches by Uefa on Tuesday after diving to win a penalty against Celtic last week.

LONDON - Arsenal striker Eduardo was banned for two matches by Uefa on Tuesday after diving to win a penalty against Celtic last week.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association over his comments after his side's defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on the first weekend of the season.

Uefa said Eduardo had been punished for "deceiving the referee" as he tumbled over Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reacted to the charge against Eduardo with fury.

"I find it a complete disgrace and unacceptable," he said. "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."

Benitez was charged for his criticism of referee Phil Dowd's decision not to award a late penalty after Andriy Voronin went down under the challenge of Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Liverpool had already been awarded one penalty.

"The other one was so clear, it was unbelievable," Benitez said.

"Can you get two penalties at an away ground? No. With this referee, I knew that this was impossible." - Sapa-DPA