When football commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme spoke the immortal words more than 40 years ago "some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over", he summed up the over-spilling emotions of an entire nation.

As England fans started to drift onto the pitch, in anticipation of an unforgettable World Cup victory, they could perhaps be excused for being caught up in fevered celebration as football's biggest prize came home.

Whether we like it or not, images of fans invading the field of play have provided some of the most abiding footballing memories. From Sunderland's 1973 Cup Final victory to the sight of Hereford school kids flooding the pitch after beating the mighty Newcastle, sometimes fans and players have met on the pitch in unforgettable examples of unfettered joy.

Sadly, dreadful hooligan incidents of the 1980's and 1990's, like the Milwall fans pitch riot at Luton, took any innocence away from such scenes and resulted in the Football Authorities imposing a zero-tolerance policy to crowd control.

As UEFA opens its investigation into the incident which saw a spectator confront AC Milan goalkeeper Dida at Celtic Park on Wednesday, the question of football crowd control is back on the agenda. Also under consideration is the responsibility of the clubs themselves and to what extent they can be held liable for the actions of a over exuberant supporters.

The Celtic fan - who has since come forward and been banned by the club for life - made contact with Dida who proceeded to briefly give chase before collapsing to the ground. Contact appeared minimal and the Brazil international has been roundly condemned for his theatrics.

Celtic are likely to face a fine but UEFA could impose a more draconian penalty for the infringement, with the option of Milan being awarded victory under consideration.

This would be overly harsh on Celtic who pulled off the shock of the night.

And Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith recognised that the fan had been foolish but urged UEFA to consider punishing the goalkeeper :

"The fact of the matter is that Celtic will have a case to answer because their security was breached by the supporter who came on the park. Therefore there is nothing we can do to help them at this stage. Smith added

"What Uefa has to decide is whether Dida was guilty of simulation and whether it was intended to make the problem with the fan look even worse by indicating that he had been assaulted." Smith concluded.

Celtic Chairman Brian Quinn condemned the fan who confronted the AC Milan goalkeeper but has accused Dida of play-acting.

"I'm making no excuses for the behaviour and the fan behaved disgracefully, He said

"But the contact made with the goalkeeper was minimal. His antics have to be taken into account as well."

The farce of Dida's reaction is a world away from incidents such as the Turkish Premier League fixture between Trabzonspor and Sivasspor in August when a fan was seen to punch Sivasspor striker Mehmet Yildiz in the face.

British clubs have made great strides in recent years to ensure the safety of both supporters and players with clubs employing trained stewards to work in conjunction with the police.

So, while one cannot condone fans running unchecked onto the pitch the football authorities must recognise the difference between a misjudged prank and violent intent.