Chelsea’s Diego Costa gets three-match ban for violent conduct

Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista has his three-match ban lifted by FA after appeal

Arsenal’s  Gabriel and Chelsea’s  Diego Costa  are separated by Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech as they clash during the  Premier League  match  at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP
Arsenal’s Gabriel and Chelsea’s Diego Costa are separated by Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech as they clash during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been banned for three matches after a charge of violent conduct during Saturday's 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge was upheld.

The English Football Association made the announcement just hours after Arsenal have won an appeal against Gabriel’s sending-off for his altercation with Costa during the match..

Costa had denied a FA charge over the incident, not seen by referee Mike Dean, in which he appeared to raise his hands to Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny.

An FA statement read: “An FA charge against Diego Costa for violent conduct not seen by the match officials but caught on video has been found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

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“The Chelsea forward will, therefore, serve the standard penalty of a three-match suspension with immediate effect.”

Brazilian centre back Gabriel was dismissed for kicking out at Brazilian-born striker Costa during Saturday’s ill-tempered clash.

Gabriel still faces a separate charge of improper conduct for his reaction after being shown the red card by referee Mike Dean.

The swift decision means Gabriel becomes available for selection in Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup tie at Tottenham.

The FA statement read: “Arsenal’s claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Gabriel has been upheld following an independent regulatory commission hearing.

“The player’s three-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate effect.”

There was a precedent for the suspension being overturned.

Last season, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic saw his ban reduced after reacting to a dangerous tackle by Burnley's Ashley Barnes, with the governing body accepting he had used a moderate "level of force" when pushing his opponent.

Gabriel, however, could still be sanctioned for failing to immediately leave the pitch following his red card, as the player tried to then confront Costa before being restrained by his team-mates.

The FA also charged both Chelsea and Arsenal for failing to control their players.