Dive ban Un-believable

EVERTON caretaker boss David Unsworth defended striker Oumar Niasse after he was hit with a two-match ban for diving. The former defender fears the FA may be setting a dangerous precedent after Niasse, 27, became the first Premier League player banned on a retrospective charge of diving. Everton’s appeal failed yesterday, ruling him out of Sunday’s trip to Southampton and next Wednesday’s home game with West Ham. Referee Anthony Taylor awarded the Senegal star a penalty after he was challenged by Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann on Saturday. Unsworth said: “It doesn’t change the situation that if there’s contact, slight or not, contact is contact. People are going to be very busy if that’s going to be the case.

“They’re going to have to look at every single foul, yellow card and decision made.

“It’s a dangerous precedent that could be set if debatable decisions are given against you. If there is contact, slight or more, it’s still a foul.

“I’m disappointed. Anywhere else on the pitch it’s a foul. He was shocked and I was.”

Unsworth handles his sixth game in temporary charge against Atalanta in the Europa League tonight.

Everton are dropping their pursuit of Watford boss Marco Silva and are considering a move for RB Leipzig sporting director Ralf Rangnick.

EVERTON have been fined £26,600 by UEFA after a fan carrying a child hit out at Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes in their Europa League tie last month.