Chelsea's Diego Costa may face 4-match ban for kicking out at Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel

Diego Costa could pick up a 4-match ban for kicking Martin Skrtel when Chelsea faced Liverpool at Stamford Bridge

After Liverpool beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, news has come out that Diego Costa may be punished by the FA for allegedly kicking Reds defender Martin Skrtel in the abdomen, according to ESPN. The 27-year-old has already been retrospectively banned once this season after an altercation with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista in the game against Arsenal in September.

In this game, the Brazilian-born Spanish striker was seen falling to the ground along with Skrtel after they made contact. But while on the ground, Costa was seen aiming a kick at Skrtel’s midriff. Although Skrtel did not immediately complain or gesture that he was hurt, television replays showed Costa had indeed kicked out and that it wasn’t accidental.

Mark Clattenburg, who was the referee for the game, did not brandish a card for violent conduct. But had he seen the incident, he may have even sent Costa off for kicking out at another player. The ban would be four matches as this would be the second time he was guilty of the offence. The ban would be three matches for kicking out at Skrtel and one more game for a second offence.

Costa is lucky to escape red card for kicking Skrtel: Howard Webb

Former referee and technical director of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, Howard Webb, spoke to BT Sport and said that he would have sent Costa off for the incident. He also said the FA would take a look but doubted they would take action as Clattenburg saw the incident.

“They [The FA] will have a look I think. I think it is a clear red card. He commits a foul on Martin Skrtel, then there is a little kick,” Webb explained.

“The second action is a clear act of violent conduct. Mark Clattenburg is pretty close and is in a good position and it's difficult to say that he hasn't seen this.

“Normally the FA won't take action when the ref is looking at it. But just because he is looking in that direction it doesn't mean he is focussed on that act of violence, and he can't have been because he didn't see the kick and didn't give a red card.

“I doubt that the FA will take action because Mark is looking in that direction and it is not off the ball. But it is a clear red card and Diego Costa is a lucky boy on that occasion,” Webb concluded.

Costa stamped Skrtel’s ankle in the Capital One Cup last season

Costa and Skrtel have clashed before

This is not the first time the two have been involved in a skirmish on the field. Previously, Costa had stamped Skrtel’s ankle in a Capital One Cup encounter last season. He had also stamped Emre Can on his ankle in the same game but escaped punishment.

Costa and Skrtel were also involved in a clash when Spain lost to Slovakia in a Euro 2016 qualifier last year. The striker had also shoved Skrtel into Mignolet in the Premier League last season – a move that only got him a warning from referee Anthony Taylor and no card.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho himself did not have any comment on the incident. When he was questioned about Costa, all he said was, “I have nothing to say.”