Chelsea have released a statement in which they insist Diego Costa did not bite Gareth Barry during their 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Everton yesterday.
But this video seems to suggest otherwise. Costa appears to open his jaws against the neck of Barry. The only thing that is not clear is whether he sinks his teeth in.
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The Spain international was sent off following the clash with the veteran midfielder, but would surely face a longer suspension if he was found guilty of biting.
And so Chelsea have attempted to preempt any possible investigation from the Football Association, with a statement in which they strongly claim Costa’s innocence.
“Diego spoke to club officials and expressed regret over his reaction to the challenge from Barry that led to his red card,” a Chelsea spokesman said, according to BBC Sport.
“But Diego was also very clear that he did not bite him at any point during that altercation.”
Precedent suggests that Costa, sent off for the first time in his Blues career, would be in line for a lengthy suspension if the FA decide to take retrospective action.
In 2013, then-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was handed a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, although that was the second offence of his career.
Two goals from former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku dumped the Londoners out of the FA Cup, on the same week in which they were eliminated from the Champions League.
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