NYON, Switzerland (AP):

UEFA banned Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva for two Champions League matches yesterday for diving to earn a penalty in a qualifying match against Celtic.

UEFA's disciplinary panel made the ruling after a teleconference.

The panel said the Brazilian-born Croatia forward deceived the referee when he got the penalty decision after a challenge by Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc last Wednesday.

Eduardo scored from the spot kick and Arsenal won the match 3-1, progressing to the group stage 5-1 on aggregate.

Eduardo will miss Arsenal's Group H matches at Standard Liege on September 16 and at home to Olympiakos on Sep-tember 29.

Arsenal can appeal within three days.

Evasive action

Arsenal believes that Eduardo, who broke his leg in February 2008, may have taken evasive action to avoid a repeat of the serious injury that sidelined him for a year.

UEFA has previously disciplined only one player for cheating a referee since the Article 10 rule was introduced three years ago.

In September 2007, Lithuania striker Saulius Mikoliunas was banned for two matches after video evidence showed he dived to earn a penalty against Scotland.

The Scottish Football Asso-ciation, which was involved in that case and has pressed UEFA on Celtic's behalf, believes video evidence should be used more often.