Diego Costa still facing FA ban despite being cleared of biting

DIEGO COSTA could still face another FA ban despite being cleared of biting.

Posted Monday, March 14, 2016 by Dailystar.co.uk

SEEING RED: Costa could still be banned

Gareth Barry today insisted Costa did not sink his teeth into him during Everton’s 2-0 FA Cup win.

But the hothead Chelsea striker is still facing an extra suspension for failing to leave the pitch immediately after being sent off.

And officials are also looking at whether or not Costa stuck his fingers up at fans when he did eventually walk off.

There will be no action against Costa though for appearing to bite Barry in the neck after reacting furiously to a challenge from the midfielder.

Barry, who was also sent off, said: “For the record, Diego did not bite me.”

After a running battle, trouble flared between the pair with six minutes to go in the quarter-final at Goodison Park.

Costa stuck his head into Barry and then moved his mouth into this neck before they eventually hugged.

The Spain striker shouted at referee Michael Oliver after receiving his second yellow card.

The FA will await Oliver’s report before deciding to take action on the incident which could see Costa given an extra ban to add to the one-match has automatically received for the dismissal.

They will also study video evidence to see if Costa flashed a V sign at the crowd.

Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez received a one-game ban for a similar gesture against Fulham in 2011.

Despite his aggressive style and reputation for trouble, it was Costa’s first sending off for Chelsea.

He has twice been banned by the FA retrospectively using video evidence.

Asked whether Costa has anger management issues, boss Hiddink said: "There are movies about that, I think. One movie with Jack Nicholson. Maybe we go and watch it together.

"I like him still going towards the edge, but you also have to take into consideration he was desperate to play.

"It is easy as a group of people when there is someone you don’t know to go on the attack to the individual, although he has committed errors.

"I will analyse what he has done and protect the individual."