FA charge Chelsea’s Costa with improper conduct

The Football Association have charged Diego Costa with improper conduct following his sending-off at Everton on Saturday.

The Chelsea striker was dismissed after a clash with Everton’s Gareth Barry in the 84th minute of his team’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat.

Costa appeared to bite Barry in the incident, although both players have since denied that happened.

But the FA have nevertheless charged Costa over his behaviour after being shown a second yellow card.

“It is alleged his behaviour, after being shown a second yellow card in the game, amounted to improper conduct,” the FA said in a statement.

The Spain international, 27, has until 18:00 GMT on Thursday, 17 March to respond to the charge.

He has also been given until Wednesday to provide his observations to the FA over an alleged gesture made towards Everton fans as he left the pitch at half-time.