TOFFEES TO FIGHT NIASSE CHEAT CHARGE
Striker is first Prem player charged for ‘deception of official’
EVERTON will fight an FA charge for diving brought against their striker Oumar Niasse.
The Senegal international will today become the first Premier League player to be hit by the new offence of “successful deception of a match official” at an independent regulatory commission.
The FA brought the charge after studying video evidence of an incident during the 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday, when Niasse appeared to dive to win a penalty for the Blues.
But club officials will argue that Niasse could not avoid going to ground when challenged by Palace defender Scott Dann, no matter how slight the impact. The FA introduced a new law in May to allow retrospective punishment for acts of cheating, such as diving, and any player found guilty could face a three-game ban.
“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,” the FA said in a statement. “Each panel member will be asked to review video footage independently to determine whether they consider it was an offence of ‘successful deception of a match official.’
“Only in circumstances where the panel is unanimous would the FA issue a charge.” Niasse has become the first player in the top flight to be charged, but Bristol City defender Bailey Wright (below) was banned for two games this month after being found guilty of simulation in an off-the-ball clash with Fulham’s Aboubakar Kamara during a Championship game. The Everton striker won the penalty which allowed his side to equalise at Palace, and then went on to score himself as the Blues picked up an important point in their fight to escape the danger zone. Everton officials submitted a response to the charge last night and requested a hearing. They will argue the evidence is not conclusive and fight any ban.
Niasse said on Saturday he would be “shocked” if he was hit with a retrospective ban.
“The contact was on my upper body but 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. It was because I was running so quickly.
“I will be shocked if I am charged with diving because there was contact.”
But Palace defender Dann was livid with the decision and accused Niasse of cheating.
“He has conned the referee. I don’t like to see people getting punished but also I don’t like people diving,” he said.