Everton’s Oumar Niasse has been charged for ‘Successful Deception of a Match Official’ following Saturday’s draw at Crystal Palace and such, he faces a potential two-match ban.
If the charge stands, Niasse will become the first Premier League player to be retrospectively banned for diving.
Niasse went down in the penalty area early in the game and was awarded a penalty kick, which Leighton Baines converted. Speaking after the game, Palace defender Scott Dann was adamant that the Everton striker dived and he has now been charged.
Each member of a three-man panel, consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player, watched footage of the incident back, independently of one another, and all three considered it was an offence of ‘Successful Deception of a Match Official’.
Niasse has until 6pm this evening to respond to the charge.
