Everton’s Niasse facing retrospective ban
Striker had won a controversial penalty against Crystal Palace
Everton striker Oumar Niasse was yesterday charged with simulation after he won a controversial penalty and could become the first Premier League player to be hit with a retrospective ban.
Niasse went down inside the Crystal Palace box on Saturday, with referee Anthony Taylor deeming the Senegal international had been fouled by Eagles defender Scott Dann.
Dann himself reacted angrily over the decision, saying Niasse had “conned the referee”. Leighton Baines tucked away the resulting penalty to cancel out Wifried Zaha’s early opener at Selhurst Park.
“Everton’s Oumar Niasse has been charged for ‘successful deception of a match official’ following the game against Crystal Palace on 18 November 2017,” said a statement on the Football Association’s website.
Niasse could become the first Premier League player to be hit with a retrospective ban for diving following the introduction of the new law at the start of the season.
But the 27-year-old Senegalese player will only be handed a two-match suspension if the panel that convenes to oversee his case unanimously agree that Niasse was guilty of the offence.
“It is alleged he committed an act of simulation which led to a penalty being awarded in the 5th minute of the game,” the FA statement said.
“He has until 6pm on 21 November 2017 to respond.
“Incidents which suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation are referred to a panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player. “Each panel member will be asked to review all available video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it was an offence of ‘successful deception of a match official’.”
Niasse, who himself scored later in the 2-2 draw, defended himself following the incident and told the Liverpool Echo he would be “shocked” to be charged. Arsenal can cut down the deficit to Premier League leaders Manchester City and challenge for the title this campaign, midfielder Granit Xhaka has said.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday leaves them sixth in the league on 22 points while City are 12 points ahead after winning 11 of their opening 12 games, but Xhaka believes Arsenal can re-enter the title race.
“I think in football everything is possible,” Xhaka told Sky Sports News.
“Manchester City, at the moment, are on a very good run, they’re doing very well and others have dropped points — which they haven’t done — but it’s conceivable that they could drop points as well.” City’s dominant run has seen them score 40 league goals and concede just seven to open an eight-point lead over secondplaced Manchester United but Xhaka says Pep Guardiola’s side could slow down and Arsenal must capitalise when they did.
“I’m a person who thinks realistically but has dreams and fantasies as well. In football, everything is always possible.”