Mousa Dembélé could be banned for six games after the FA deemed the standard three-match ban “clearly insufficient” for an offence as serious as the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder’s apparent eye-gouge on Diego Costa.
The governing body confirmed yesterday a raft of sanctions against Spurs and Chelsea for offences during their ill-tempered 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Monday night. Both clubs have been charged with failing to control their players and are likely to face six-figure fines as a result.
The FA highlighted three incidents — in the 45th and 87th minutes and also at the end of the game — of a match in which Spurs also picked up nine bookings, a Premier League record. Tottenham will automatically be given a separate fine, of more than £25,000, for drawing more than six cautions in a single match. Both clubs have until Monday evening to respond to the latest charge.
Dembélé, though, could face the most punitive sanction. The Belgium player appeared to stick a finger into Costa’s left eye during the 45th-minute mêlée, an offence not mentioned by Mark Clattenburg, the referee, in his report.
The FA’s disciplinary unit, however, having studied television footage, will make its case to an independent panel, comprising three former referees, that the offence warrants a more severe sentence than the typical three-match ban handed out for a retrospective red card. It is believed that the unit will push for a six-game ban.
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“It is alleged the player’s behaviour constituted violent conduct in circumstances where the standard punishment of three matches that would otherwise apply is clearly insufficient,” an FA statement read. “The player has until 6pm on Thursday 5 May 2016 to respond to the charge.”
Dembélé is the only individual who will face retrospective punishment, despite a string of controversies. Clattenburg is thought to have mentioned an apparent stamp by Érik Lamela, of Tottenham, on Cesc Fàbregas in his report, meaning that the FA is unable to take further action. Likewise, Michel Vorm, the Spurs substitute goalkeeper who was at the centre of the maul at the end of the game that left Guus Hiddink, Chelsea’s interim manager, on the floor of the dugout, will not face action.