Chelsea striker Diego Costa was at the centre of another major controversy after television pictures showed him apparently attempting to bite Everton midfielder Gareth Barry on Saturday night.
However,
Barry has now made a statement on social media app Fanzai, saying:
'Seen a lot of talk about the incident involving me and Diego Costa in
the game last night. For the record Diego did not bite me.'
Spain
international Costa did seem to draw back at the last moment as he
confronted Barry but he was was sent off on 84 minutes, shortly after
his side went 2-0 down in their FA Cup quarter-final at Goodison Park.
'Whatever
happens with Diego Costa, I think we should see it as what we want to
see in a Cup game, real emotions. And I'm sure the players will have
shaken it off at the end of the game and there is nothing to look back
at. I haven't seen the replay from where he was he moved his head
towards Gareth Barry and then I lost the eyesight of the action.'
Asked
if he thought Costa had bitten Barry, Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink
said: 'I didn't, to be honest, and everyone who follows me knows I try
to be fair in my judgement wherever it's pro et contra.
'I
haven't seen it so far then I will give a fair judgement. It's
difficult for me now to see yes or no in this incident. I don't want to
give a judgement in this but he was chased a bit in the game as well.
They knew it.
'It
is within the rules but as referee you must protect a bit the
situation. I'm not saying overprotect but knowing a feeling the
atmosphere when there are very small but multitude of little
provocations. I haven't spoken to him. When you lose, then it's a
disappointment and they players are staring at their disappointment, so
it is not the time to ask.'
Referee
Michael Oliver deemed it a second yellow card offense, so did not see
or did not judge it to be a biting offense so if there was any FA action
it would have to be judged retrospectively.
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