Diego Costa displayed frustration during Saturday's loss to Everton in the FA Cup. Now that frustration is getting him into some trouble. Costa reacted in anger following a tackle from Everton's Gareth Barry with a biting gesture on his neck. While it is unclear whether or not Costa did actually bite Barry, the striker is being charged with the action.
The Football Association has charged Costa with misconduct for the biting gesture on Barry. The Spain international now has until Thursday to respond and explain himself as he faces a three-match ban following the red card. The incident happened in the 84th minute of the Chelsea-Everton match. Following the tackle from Barry, Costa made contact with him, lowering his mouth onto his opponent's neck. Costa was quickly sent off. Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink tried to downplay the situation.
"I always try to be fair in my judgement, pro or con. I haven't seen it so it's difficult for me to say yes or no," said Hiddink. "He was chased a bit in the game as well. They went after him. They knew it and it's within the rules, but also as a referee you must protect a bit the situation, knowing and feeling the atmosphere when there are a multitude of little provocations."
Following the misconduct charge on Costa, Barry denied the striker bit him during the match. Barry responded to the whole incident saying, "Seen a lot of talk about the incident involving me and Diego Costa in the game last night. For the record, Diego did not bite me."
Will this change the FA's ruling on Costa? The striker's response to the charge might hold a bigger impact than a statement from Barry, but it helps Costa's case. It has been a frustrating week for Chelsea, which could have contributed to Costa's anger. The club was sent packing in Champions League play following a loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16. Now the team is out of the FA Cup while its Premier League season is on life support. All of this has rumors swirling that a mass exit could take place with the club.
Sources report Costa is mulling an exit from Chelsea this summer. The squad is facing a number of financial charges following losses in both Champions League and the FA Cup. That could see Costa head elsewhere sooner rather than later. La Liga teams could show the most interest in the Spanish international.
