• Premier League

Costa to appeal FA charge over stamp

ESPN staff
January 29, 2015
Mourinho: Pundit 'must be nuts'

Chelsea striker Diego Costa is contesting the Football Association's charge for violent conduct - a move which has the full support of the club.

The striker is facing an immediate three-match ban for his apparent stamp on the Liverpool's Emre Can during Tuesday's League Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Costa, who faces no action for a similar incident involving Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, has until 6pm to respond to the charge of violent conduct, with the panel meeting on Friday to decide the outcome which could see him miss the weekend's game with Manchester City, as well as fixtures against Aston Villa and Everton.

He could also incur an extra-game ban for a "frivolous" appeal.

Jose Mourinho immediately defended Costa after the match, and his team-mate Eden Hazard has also backed him, saying the striker "gives his life" for the team.

However, former Premier League official Mark Halsey says top-flight officials must be more aware of Costa's aggressive nature before a player gets "a serious injury," adding: "There's a side of Costa that we don't want in our game. Aggression is what makes him the great player he is. But he has that bit of devil in him.

"Referees have to go into games aware of what Costa is. You know when Costa goes into a challenge, something could happen."

Diego Costa has been charged over an apparent stamp on Emre Can © Getty Images
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