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Diego Costa facing possible FA action after kicking Martin Skrtel in the chest during Chelsea defeat to Liverpool

FA will await referee Mark Clattenburg's report

Tom Sheen
Stamford Bridge
Saturday 31 October 2015 17:00 GMT
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(BT Sport)

Chelsea striker Diego Costa could face disciplinary action after an apparent kick to the ribs of Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel seemingly went unseen by officials.

The Spaniard clashed with Skrtel at the half-way line, fouling the centre-back before being pulled down by Skrtel.

However, as they fell, Costa seemed to kick his heel into the ribs of the Slovakian..

Although referee Mark Clattenburg gave a foul for Costa's trip, he didn't take any action for the kick - although it is not yet clear if that is because he didn't see it or didn't deem it worthy of extra attention.

Clattenburg had a word with Costa immediately after to calm the striker.

Former referee Howard Webb, during his analysis for BT Sport, called the kick "violent" and a "clear red card.

"They [The FA] will have a look I think," he said. "I think it is a clear red card. He commits a foul on Martin Skrtel, then there is a little kick.

"The second action is a clear act of violent conduct. Mark Clattenburg is pretty close and is in a good position and it's difficult to say that he hasn't seen this.

"Normally the FA won't take action when the ref is looking at it. But just because he is looking in that direction it doesn't mean he is focussed on that act of violence, and he can't have been because he didn't see the kick and didn't give a red card.

"I doubt that the FA will take action because Mark is looking in that direction and it is not off the ball. But it is a clear red card and Diego Costa is a lucky boy on that occasion."

The Football Association will have to wait what Mark Clattenburg writes in his official report to see if he saw the incident or not.

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