English FA charges Costa, Gabriel for improper conducts

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged with violent conduct, Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has been charged with improper conduct and both clubs have been charged with failing to control their players during Saturday’s Premier League match, the Football Association has announced.

Costa, 26, has come in for criticism after his performance in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday.

The Spain international clashed with Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista in the first half at Stamford Bridge.

After Costa and Gabriel were both booked, the Arsenal centre-back was sent off for flicking a boot at the Chelsea player.

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.

Read also: Chelsea revive hope of title defence

“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.”

Costa’s teammate Kurt Zouma initially told beIN Sports that the striker “likes to cheat,” though he later clarified that he did not mean to insult his teammate.

Speaking after the defeat, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Costa should have been sent off twice.

“Costa twice should be sent off,” Wenger told the BBC. “He hits him [Koscielny] in the face on purpose. In every game he has aggravation and he gets away with it because of the weakness of the referee.”

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