Craig Gordon believes Eduardo’s UEFA suspension was ‘worth it’ as it guaranteed Arsenal £16 million in Champions League funds.

Gordon insisted that football stars will continue to dive with the stakes for victory being sky high.

The 26-year-old said: "You can see what it means and why someone would do that, to win a game by any means possible."

"He got a two-match ban but getting to the group stages is worth £16m and the player has probably got close to £100,000 in bonuses."

Scotland star Gordon added: "For a keeper it is infuriating when you do not touch someone and they win a penalty - but it's something that goes on. It's not nice but I don't see how we can stamp it out."

"If a Scotland player does it and we end up getting to the World Cup play-offs then do we still feel as badly about it? I'm not sure."

UEFA punished Eduardo after TV replays showed the Croatia international voluntarily falling over Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc to win a penalty in Arsenal's Champions League qualifier against Celtic.

However, Gunners supremo Peter Hill-Wood has lent his support to Arsene Wenger's battle against UEFA over the striker's suspension.

Hill-Wood insists European football chiefs are making a mountain out of a molehill and will join in the fight against Eduardo's ban.

The Arsenal chairman said: "I think Arsene is absolutely right to take the view he has. He has 100 per cent backing from the board and we are united on this issue."