Adriano banned after scoring uncontested goal

UEFA have handed Luiz Adriano a one-match ban and community service after he scored controversial Champions League goal.

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FC Nordsjaelland's players were disgusted after Luiz Adriano broke the gamesmanship code [AP]

Shakhtar Donetsk forward Luiz Adriano was banned for one Champions League match on Tuesday for a lack of fair play in scoring a goal uncontested against Nordsjaelland.

UEFA said its disciplinary panel found the Brazilian forward guilty of ‘violation of the principles of conduct’ in Denmark last week.

“The Shakhtar player has also been required to perform one full day of community football service,” UEFA said in a statement.

Luiz Adriano provoked outrage last Tuesday when he ignored the sportsmanship code after play was stopped to treat an injured opponent. After play restarted with an uncontested drop ball, he chased the ball down when Nordsjaelland defenders stopped to let it to reach their goalkeeper and went on to score.

“I would like to make it clear publicly that everyone associated with our club is deeply disappointed with the incident”

Shakhtar owner Rinat Akhmetov

The controversial goal was allowed by the referee and levelled the score at 1-1. Luiz Adriano eventually scored three in the victory which sealed Shakhtar’s place in the last 16.

Luiz Adriano will miss the match at home to Juventus on December 5, though the Ukrainian champions have already reached the knockout stage after beating Nordsjaelland 5-2.

For Shakhtar, the final group game will simply decide how they are seeded in the last-16 draw. Juventus need at least a draw to be sure of eliminating defending champions Chelsea.

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu initially defended Luiz Adriano, saying the forward turned his back to play and had not seen that teammate Willian intended his kick downfield to go through to the ‘keeper.

Still, the club’s oligarch owner Rinat Akhmetov said on Monday that the behaviour was ‘unacceptable.’

“I would like to make it clear publicly that everyone associated with our club is deeply disappointed with the incident,” Akhmetov said in a statement.

“I have personally spoken to the players about their responsibilities as role models for young fans of Shakhtar, and of football as a whole.”

Shakhtar will win the group if they avoid defeat against the Italian champions without their lead striker.

Chelsea, the defending champions, can still advance if they beat Nordsjaelland and Juventus lose in Ukraine.

Source: AP