Diego Costa given three-match ban for violent conduct vs. Arsenal

By foxsports
Published

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been banned for three matches after a charge of violent conduct during Saturday's 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge was upheld.

Costa had denied a Football Association charge over the incident, not seen by referee Mike Dean, in which he appeared to raise his hands to Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny.

An FA statement read: "An FA charge against Diego Costa for violent conduct not seen by the match officials but caught on video has been found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

"The Chelsea forward will, therefore, serve the standard penalty of a three-match suspension with immediate effect.

"The charge, which the player denied, was in relation to an incident involving Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny in the 43rd minute of the game on Saturday [19 September 2015]."

Earlier on Tuesday, Arsenal defender Gabriel won an appeal against his red card for confronting Costa after the initial incident.

The FA announced in a separate statement that it had accepted Arsenal's challenge to the decision and withdrawn the three-match suspension.

Gabriel still faces a separate charge of improper conduct for his reaction after being shown the red card by referee Dean.

The FA statement read: "Arsenal's claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Gabriel has been upheld following an independent regulatory commission hearing.

"The player's three-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate effect.

"Gabriel was dismissed for violent conduct during the game against Chelsea on Saturday [19 September 2015].

"The player is currently subject to a separate FA charge of improper conduct in relation to Saturday's game and has until 6pm on Thursday [24 September 2015] to reply."

Gabriel, however, could still be sanctioned for failing to immediately leave the pitch following his red card, as the player tried to then confront Costa before being restrained by his team-mates.

The FA also charged both Chelsea and Arsenal for failing to control their players.