EVERTON: THE LAW’S A NIASSE

found guilty on charges of “successful deception of a match official” despite a robust defence offered by his club.

The new law was introduced to stop players trying to con officials, and Niasse became the first victim accused of cheating refs in the top flight, after he won a penalty at Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Everton requested a personal hearing for the player, and argued strongly the evidence was far from conclusive, with videos showing there was contact when challenged by Palace defender Scott Dann.

But an independent three-person panel unanimously agreed to uphold the charge and reject the player’s appeal, in a decision released by the FA yesterday.

That prompted a strong response from the club, with Unsworth suggesting that unqualified laymen making judgements on high-speed incidents could open a can of worms... especially as there was contact in the

incident.

“These people will be very busy, you are going to have to look into every decision in every game,” he said. “We do need experts who know what a foul is.

“Those who don’t know the game – it’s a dangerous precedent which could be set if decisions are given against you that are debatable.”

An Everton statement added: “We are disappointed by the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission. The club and player accept the outcome of today’s hearing, but we will make further comment when we have fully reviewed the observations contained in the report.”

Unsworth added: “He was shocked and so was I. Oumar doesn’t tell lies and he wouldn’t go down without reason.”

UEFA have fined Everton €30,000 after an incident involving a fan during their Europa League clash with Lyon.