Furious Everton cry foul after Niasse is charged with diving

EVERTON are furious after Oumar Niasse became the first Premier League player to be retrospectively charged with diving. The FA declared yesterday that the Senegal striker had successfully deceived a match official during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace. The offence carries a two-match ban. Everton will contest the charge after Niasse argued that Palace defender Scott Dann had made sufficient contact to knock him over. ‘It was on my upper body and when I felt the contact, I was in the box, so that is it,’ he said. ‘That is all I have to do. Go on the floor. If you watch the video, you can understand there is contact.’ An independent regulatory commission will hear Niasse’s case today. Should they uphold the findings of a three-man FA panel — which consisted of a former player, manager and referee — Niasse will miss Sunday’s trip to Southampton and the home game with West Ham a week today. Under new diving regulations, the FA issue a charge when their panel unanimously agree there has been simulation after watching footage of the incident. Everton are adamant that the collision with Dann was a foul and sufficient for Niasse to lose his balance, so Anthony Taylor was right to award a penalty. They will be incensed if Niasse becomes the first top-flight player to receive a suspension for the offence. Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Richarlison of Watford avoided charges this season, but Championship players Shaun Miller of Cardiff and Bailey Wright of Bristol City were banned for simulation last month.