English FA hands Diego Costa three-match ban for violent conduct

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been banned for three matches after a charge of violent conduct during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge was upheld.

Costa had denied a Football Association charge over the incident, not seen by referee Mike Dean, in which he appeared to raise his hands to Gunners defender Laurent Koscielny.

SEE MORE: FA rescinds red card to Arsenal’s Gabriel.

An FA statement read:

“An FA charge against Diego Costa for violent conduct not seen by the match officials but caught on video has been found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing.

“The Chelsea forward will, therefore, serve the standard penalty of a three-match suspension with immediate effect.

“The charge, which the player denied, was in relation to an incident involving Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny in the 43rd minute of the game on Saturday [19 September 2015].”

In eight all-competition appearances this season, Costa had two goals and one assists. Last year, in his debut season at Stamford Bridge, Costa scored 21 goals in 37 all-competition appearances and was named to the Professional Footballers Association’s team of the season.

SEE MORE: Carneiro leaves Chelsea head of possible legal challenge.

Chelsea face Walsall on Wednesday in the third round of the Capital One Cup. Costa will also be suspended Sept. 26’s visit to Newcastle and Oct. 3’s game against Southampton. He will be eligible to play Sept. 29 at FC Porto in UEFA Champions League.

World Soccer Talk contributed to this report.