Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged for improper conduct during the FA Cup defeat against Everton on Saturday.
Costa will be asked to explain his behaviour after receiving a red card at Goodison Park - the striker reacted after a foul on Gareth Barry, clashed heads and even appeared to bite the midfielder, something the Everton man says didn't happen.
Costa will also have to explain an alleged gesture towards Everton fans.
An FA statement read: "It is alleged his behaviour, after being shown a second yellow card in the game, amounted to improper conduct.
"He has until 6pm on Thursday 17 March 2016 to respond to the charge.
"Meanwhile, the Chelsea striker has until Wednesday [16 March 2016] to provide his observations to The FA in relation to an alleged gesture he made towards Everton supporters while leaving the pitch at half-time."
The Chelsea front man has until Wednesday at 6pm to respond over the alleged gesture and until Thursday at 6pm to respond to the improper conduct charge, which followed his reaction to his dismissal. His automatic one-match ban for his red card, which rules him out of Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham, could be extended if the charge is proven and if he is also sanctioned for the alleged gesture.
Costa was dismissed in the 84th minute for a second bookable offence - his first red card as a Chelsea player - after grappling with Barry. Barry was sent off three minutes later for a second yellow card and will miss Everton's game with Arsenal on Saturday.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, who said his player had been "chased" during the game, later joked that he and Costa should go together to watch the film "Anger Management" after a catalogue of incidents since his £32million arrival at Stamford Bridge during the summer of 2014.
Costa had earlier collected his 10th Chelsea yellow card of the season, also following a clash with Barry, before seeing red with less than 10 minutes remaining.
He has twice been handed three-match retrospective bans by the FA. 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. And the second three-match suspension followed an altercation with Laurent Koscielny in a Premier League defeat of Arsenal last September.
Additional reporting from PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments