Diego Costa charged by FA for violent conduct

Diego Costa has been charged for improper conduct by the FA following his altercation with Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny. The striker was raking his hands across Koscielny’s face and then chest-bumping him to the ground. Though the off the ball incident wasn’t caught by officials at the moment, but later after being reviewed by FA, Costa has been charged. The striker is most likely to receive a 3 match ban.

The FA has also charged Gabriel with improper conduct and both clubs for failing to control their players.

Arsenal issued a statement declaring that they will appeal against the three match ban imposed on Gabriel, after the defender was given a straight red, even though booked earlier by the refree Mike Dean, for kicking Costa with his heels at the end of a heated discussion.

A statement by Arsenal read: “The club can confirm that it is appealing wrongful dismissal and the three-match ban given to Gabriel.”

A statement on the FA’s official website read on Monday: “Diego Costa has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

“The Chelsea forward was involved in an incident with Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny in the 43rd minute of the game. He has until 18.00 BST tomorrow [Tuesday Sept. 22] to reply.

“Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite referees.

“Each referee panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence. For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision by the panel must be unanimous.

“Arsenal defender Gabriel has been charged with improper conduct for his behaviour following his dismissal, whilst teammate Santi Cazorla has been warned for his behaviour following his sending off.

“Finally, both clubs have been charged for failing to control their players under FA Rule E20. Both clubs and Gabriel have until 18.00 BST on Thursday to reply.”

The ban on Costa comes just 6 months after the Spain international was charged by FA for similar offense, after the he treaded on Liverpool’s Emre Can, which was described by Jose Mourinho as “campaign” against his side which included a Sky Sports montage entitled “Costa’s Crimes.”