Chelsea must make do without striker Diego Costa for the next three matches after the Football Association upheld a charge of violent conduct.
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Sky Sports has reported that the English FA is charging Diego Costa of Chelsea with violent conduct following Saturday’s tempestuous Barclays Premiership victory over Arsenal.
Costa who was charged with violent conduct was proven guilty after video evidence showed that he struck Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny in the 43rd minute of the game.
Brazilian Gabriel, however, can play in Arsenal’s League Cup match at north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
The FA also ruled that Gabriel’s three match ban should be overturned, though the defender still faces a charge of improper conduct. “We will await their written reasons before commenting further”, read a Chelsea statement on Tuesday.
Arsenal have until 6pm on Thursday to respond to that charge, with a hearing then likely on Friday.
Gabriel was dismissed on the stroke of halftime after clashing with Chelsea striker Diego Costa, as Arsenal were beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Following a review by a panel of three former elite referees, a unanimous decision was reached that the action was worthy of a sending-off offence.
Acoording to Sky Sports sources, Chelsea have until 6pm tonight to lodge an appeal or Costa will face an immediate three-match ban.
Gabriel’s team-mate Santi Cazorla has also been warned as to his behaviour following his dismissal later in the game, while both teams were charged with failing to control their players.
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Referee Mike Dean booked Costa for pushing Koscielny, but admitted that he would have sent the forward off if he or his assistants had seen the provocative behaviour.
