In what is not a surprise to anyone but Jose Mourinho, Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged by the FA with violent conduct after his first half stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can after referee Michael Oliver admitted he did not see the incident.
The FA statement read:
“Diego Costa has been charged by The FA for violent conduct following an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.
“The charge is in relation to an incident involving the Chelsea forward and Liverpool’s Emre Can which occurred in the 12th minute of the League Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge last night.
“Following a review of an incident during the game involving Costa and Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, The FA will not be taking any further action.”
Costa has until 6pm Thursday to appeal or ask for a hearing with the commission likely to then decide on the punishment on Friday.
That timetable means that if the striker is found guilty that he will miss Saturday’s title showdown with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho was asked about the two incidents after the Liverpool match and railed against Costa’s critics, including one unnamed television pundit in particular, saying:
“I don’t know what you understand by stamp,” Mourinho said.
“I think maybe you are already influenced by… I’m going to use a word which put me in trouble but I think this time I cannot be punished to say that there is a campaign on the television with a certain pundit that is saying Diego Costa ‘crimes’. This guy must be nuts.
“I saw the incidents. About the penalty, I don’t speak. I prefer not to speak. If I comment I will be in trouble and I don’t want to be.
“What you call stamps and Sky calls crimes, I have to say absolutely accidental. He goes to the ball, he chases the ball, as the opponent is on the floor, they have a contact, he puts his foot there when he’s looking to the ball.
“Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me.
“When you are there and you are paid and you are very well paid – much more than some managers that have to put their ass, every 90 minutes, every weekend on the bench.
“These guys, they have a very good seat, very good money, no pressure. They are always right. They never lose, they always win, but they have to be fair and they have to be honest.”