While Diego Costa’s latest antics were the focus of the headlines, Romelu Lukaku should have been the centre of attention as Everton progressed in the FA Cup.
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The Spanish global was dismissed late on following a clash with Gareth Barry.
“But Diego was also very clear that he did not bite him at any point during that altercation”, it added.
Barry picked a red card from the referee to be sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Cesc Fabregas. “That can lead to another match ban”.
Gareth Barry has denied suggestions Diego Costa attempted to bite him during Everton’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Chelsea on Saturday. “I am just disappointed he collected a second yellow card”, said Martinez.
Costa has until Wednesday to provide information relating to the alleged gesture to fans and until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the misconduct charge.
Costa was sent off six minutes from time and Barry followed three minutes later for a second yellow card.
“It was a tough game between all the players involved, they were going after him a little bit”.
However, Burnley midfielder Joey Barton, himself no stranger to the game’s disciplinary chiefs, has urged the football authorities not to overreact to “pantomime villain” Costa’s most recent rush of blood.
Suarez became nearly a pantomime villain but Hiddink insisted he will defend his fiery forward – who incredibly received his first ever red card for Chelsea – against a similar fate.
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Costa’s reputation for dirty play extends back to his time at Atletico Madrid, and he has been handed retrospective bans by the FA twice in the past. The first came after he was adjudged to have deliberately trodden on the ankle of Liverpool’s Emre Can during a Capital One Cup semi-final in January 2015.
