By FRANCO PANIZO
Diego Costa may have escaped punishment in Monday’s win against Liverpool, but he might soon face the wrath of the English Football Association.
A day after stomping on two opponents in Chelsea’s win in the Capital One Cup, Costa has been charged by the FA with violent conduct over one of the incidents. He is facing a three-match ban, and has until Jan. 29 to respond to the charge.
Costa stomped on both Emre Can and then Martin Skrtel in the tournament game, but is only being charged for the former infraction despite not getting booked by the match official.
“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 FA said in a statement. “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.”
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has labeled both incidences as accidental.
Here are more notes from around the world of soccer:
ARSENAL SIGN BRAZILIAN DEFENDER GABRIEL PAULISTA
Arsenal has brought in a defensive reinforcement, but also temporarily said goodbye to one of its forwards.
Arsenal has signed Brazilian defender Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal, but are sending veteran Joel Campbell to the Spanish club on loan for the rest of the season. The Gunners also paid approximately $17 million in a transfer fee to land the 24-year-old Gabriel, as he is commonly known.
Gabriel has been with Villarreal since 2013, making a combined 37 appearances in La Liga. He could make his Arsenal debut this Sunday against Aston Villa.
AS ROMA EXPANDS ACADEMY PROGRAM TO UNITED STATES
A renowned academy program from one of Italy’s biggest clubs is expanding west in an effort to identify and develop more talent.
AS Roma has announced the expansion of its academy program to the United States, partnering with seven of the top U.S. Soccer academies. Roma will now have direct, year-round partnerships with the seven clubs, which are the Chargers (Clearwater, Florida), Pateadores (Southern California), FC Greater Boston Bolts (Boston, Mass.), Real Colorado (Denver, Colo.), Vardar (Detroit, Mich.) and two unspecified clubs in the areas of New York/New Jersey and the Pacific Northwest.
“We are very proud to launch our U.S. Academy program and to formalize our partnership with select top-flight U.S. clubs,” said AS Roma president James Pallotta. “Player development in the United States continues to be a top priority for us. We are confident this initiative will be great for the country and club and produce many star players of tomorrow.”
PSG REPORTEDLY INTERESTED IN EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR
Emmanuel Adebayor might be on the move before the end of the transfer window. At least, Paris Saint-Germain is hoping so.
PSG has reportedly discussed acquiring Adebayor on loan from Tottenham for the rest of the season. The French club is looking for some more cover up top after seeing Zlatan Ibrahimovic struggle with a nagging heel injury this season.
The 30-year-old Adebayor has earned nine starts in 11 appearances for Spurs this season, but has only seen the field once in league play since Nov. 10. He has scored two goals thus far.
—–
Is the ban Costa is facing too lenient or severe? Expecting Gabriel to perform well for Arsenal? What do you think of Roma expanding its academy system into the United States?
Share your thoughts below.
Pateadores and Varda, especially, have had some excellent players come through their clubs. Big move for Roma and US youth.
What? that article linked for the Arsenal story says that Paulista is not an EU citizen, nor has he been capped. Yet he gets a work permit?
Anyone have any information to explain that?
I would guess they argued that he was an exceptional talent since that is the only other way around the rule. He had been a regular starter at a fairly good La Liga side and it would be hard to see first team action with Brazil when you have Luiz, Miranda and Silva in front of you.
New FA rules go in effect next summer that more or less say that if a player costs more than 10M pounds then they’re in. Arsenal probably argued (along with the “exceptional talent” rule cited by reignman below) that since he fits with the new rules taking effect he should make the cut now.
Didn’t Jermaine Jones get a 10 match ban for a similar incident (albeit in the Bundesliga) a couple years back?