Chelsea’s Diego Costa has been handed a violent conduct charge by the Football Association (FA) after his side’s 2 – 0 win over Arsenal on Saturday.
The Spaniard, 26, swiped his hands at Arsenal’s Laurient Koscielny’s face and later clashed with Gunners defender Gabriel, who was sent off.
The FA has also charged Gabriel with improper conduct and both clubs for failing to control their players. Gabriel and both clubs have until 18:00 BST on Thursday, 24 September to respond to their charges.
Costa and Gabriel were booked for their altercation before the latter received his marching order for raising his heel at the Blues striker.
Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla, who was sent off for two bookable offences, has been warned about his future conduct.
An independent panel of three former referees reviewed video footage of the incident after Saturday’s centre referee, Mike Dean, confirmed that he did not witness it. They each ruled that Costa’s action should have attracted a straight red card, prompting the FA to continue with the charge.
Costa could serve an automatic three-match suspension if he accepts the charge, but were he to contest it; an independent regulatory commission will look into the matter.
Chelsea’s next three matches are against Chelsea face Walsall, Newcastle and Southampton.
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