Chelsea striker Diego Costa is set for a one-match ban for the first red card of his Blues career against Everton, but he could face having another game added after allegedly gesturing offensively to the home support.
Costa was Chelsea’s best player at Goodison Park on Saturday evening up until his meltdown late in the game following two quick goals from Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgium international’s double ensured Chelsea’s exit from the FA Cup and, with that, ended their chances of silverware this season with no more cups to play for and certainly no chance of winning the Premier League title.
Costa came face-to-face with Gareth Barry late in the game as tempers boiled over, and he appeared to bite the Englishman. The confrontation led to his second yellow card which brought out the red, but the Daily Mail understand he’s escaped punishment for the alleged bite.
However, Costa could still face a further sanction from the FA, who will analyse video footage allegedly showing him gesturing offensively to some home supporters. His general reaction to having been shown a red card will also be the subject of an investigation.
Barry confirmed at the weekend that Costa did not bite him, so the FA will not follow up on that count. But it appears they will find other ways to ban him for his actions at Goodison Park on Saturday night.
It seems Costa apparently gestured towards some Everton fans on his way down the tunnel, which could potentially see him miss another game on top of the one-game ban he already has for his red card.
Costa will now miss Chelsea’s next match against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge, but could even miss their trip to Aston Villa now too.
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