Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged by the FA on the grounds of violent conduct after stamping Emre Can in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Costa, who had an eventful game after getting into altercations with Can, Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, could face a three-game ban if he is found guilty and will subsequently miss Chelsea’s clash against Manchester City on Saturday. The Spaniard has time until Thursday 6pm to respond to the charge.
Costa repeated his stamping antics on Martin Skrtel in the latter half of the game, but that challenge will not be punished by the FA.
The statement by FA read, “Diego Costa has been charged by The FA for violent conduct following an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
“The charge is in relation to an incident involving the Chelsea forward and Liverpoola s Emre Can which occurred in the 12th minute of the League Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge last night.
“Following a review of an incident during the game involving Costa and Liverpoola s Martin Skrtel, The FA will not be taking any further action.”
The former Atletico Madrid striker is known for his fiery character on the pitch as he never seems to back away from an altercation on the pitch.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had earlier revealed that he was unhappy with Costa’s behaviour on the pitch and that those were challenges that he could have avoided, a He [Costa] is an outstanding player a he obviously has this edge to him. We see the TV incidents, the two that he had. The one with Emre Can, that was poor, I felt. He could easily hurdle over the young player but he directs his studs right onto his ankle, which could have been nasty. And the one with Martin Skrtel a again, therea s no need to do it. Thata s the sad thing. Hea s a top-class player and hea s clever enough that the officials dona t see it. But ita s poor by him because hea s an outstanding player and he doesna t need to do it.a
“Hea s a top-class player and hea s clever enough that the officials dona t see it. But ita s poor by him because hea s an outstanding player and he doesna t need to do it,a Rodgers added.
The charge comes after Jose Mourinho was fined by the FA for his ‘campaign’ comments a few hours earlier today. With a key game coming up against Manchester City in the weekend, the events will definitely unsettle the Blues and their fans.