Diego Costa cleared of alleged ‘biting’ charge

Chelsea striker Diego Costa will not face additional disciplinary action after appearing to bite Everton’s Gareth Barry in the Blues’ 2-0 FA Cup defeat on Saturday evening. Costa had already been shown a second yellow card when television pictures caught him leaning into Barry’s neck as the two squared up.   Costa’s face is concealed […]
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sambafoot_admin
2016-03-14 20:01:00

Chelsea striker Diego Costa will not face additional disciplinary action after appearing to bite Everton’s Gareth Barry in the Blues’ 2-0 FA Cup defeat on Saturday evening. Costa had already been shown a second yellow card when television pictures caught him leaning into Barry’s neck as the two squared up.

 

Costa’s face is concealed by Barry’s neck in the images, leading many to conclude that Costa was biting the England midfielder. However, Barry, who was later sent off himself, issued a frank denial, insisting that Costa did not bite him.

 

A Chelsea spokesman concurred, “’Diego spoke to club officials after the game and expressed regret over his reaction to the challenge from Gareth Barry that led to his red card, but Diego was also very clear that he did not bite him at any point during that altercation.”

 

Guus Hiidink accused Everton of trying to provoke the Brazil born striker, saying, “he was chased a bit.” Costa will serve a one match suspension for his red card, with Barry clearing him of any biting charge, the F.A. will not act further on the incident.