Chelsea’s Diego Costa could be in trouble after the referee missed two attempted stamps…
Chelsea striker Diego Costa is in hot water again after appearing to stamp on two Liverpool players during his side’s 1-0 Capital One Cup semi-final second leg victory over the Reds at Stamford Bridge.
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The Spanish forward came down on both Emre Can and Martin Skrtel, while he was also accused of diving by referee Michael Oliver and squared up to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
With Costa developing an unwanted reputation as one of the league’s most controversial players, click through the list below to see if he ranks in our top ten of all time:
10) Paul Gascoigne
The former Tottenham man was known more for his off the field antics rather than any huge misdemeanours on it, but his ongoing battle with drugs and alcohol have become his most memorable feature in recent years.
9) Mario Balotelli
Constantly bickered with manager Roberto Mancini during his first spell in England with Manchester City. The Italian regularly cost his side with needless red cards and even threw darts at an academy player.
8) Eric Cantona
The Manchester United man’s infamous kung-fu kick against Crystal Palace in 1995 will never be forgotten. Nor indeed will the aftermath and the Frenchman’s highly bizarre, Seagull-related comments.
7) Lee Bowyer
Who get Bowyer’s on the field punch up with teammate Kieron Dyer in 2005, which saw him handed a six game ban and a police conviction. The former Newcastle midfielder also racked up 80 yellow cards and five reds during his top flight career.
6) Joey Barton
A delightful individual, Barton once stubbed out a cigar in the eye of a Manchester City youth team player, while he was also arrested for assaulting teammate Ousmane Dabo. His kick at Sergio Aguero for QPR earned him a 12 game ban.
5) John Terry
Twice fined for abusing opposition players – Tottenham’s Ledley King in 2006 and QPR’s Anton Ferdinand in 2012. The latter saw him banned for four matches and found guilty of racial abuse. His affair with teammate Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend cost him the England captaincy.
4) Roy Keane
The Irishman developed a reputation for taking things too far. His public row with Manchester City’s Alf-Inge Haaland ended with a tackle that ended his opponent’s career. His battles with Arsenal’s Patrick Vieira became stuff of legend.
3) Paolo Di Canio
Many fans who follow Italian football will remember the fascist salute to the Lazio fans, but in this country he is perhaps best remembered for shoving referee Paul Alcock in 1998 when playing for Sheffield Wednesday.
2) El-Hadji Diouf
The former Liverpool man once mocked QPR striker Jamie Mackie while he lay on the ground with a broken leg. This incident led to Rangers boss Neil Warnock labelling the player as “lower than a sewer rat”. Has also been accused of racially abusing a ball boy.
1) Luis Suarez
Three-times the former Liverpool man has been banned for biting an opponent – once for Ajax, once for the Reds and once for his country Uruguay. Has also been charged for racially abusing former Man United defender Patrice Evra.
So, no place yet for Diego Costa. This is after all a pretty formidable top ten to break into. Maybe if we give him time and revisit this list in a year or so, he’ll be more deserving of a place.