Niasse banned over diving charge after FA rejects Everton appeal

Oumar Niasse has become the first Premier League player to receive a retrospective ban for diving after the FA rejected an appeal from Everton.

Niasse went down under a challenge from Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann to win a penalty in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.

Both Dann and Palace manager Roy Hodgson accused Niasse – who later scored Everton’s second equaliser – of deceiving referee Anthony Taylor.

Although Everton appealed against the charge, the FA confirmed an Independent Regulatory Commission on Wednesday had upheld the ban against Niasse, who will now miss Premier League matches against Southampton and West Ham United.

A panel made up of one ex-match official, one former manager and one ex-player is used to rule on cases involving simulation.

Niasse is the first Premier League player to be retrospectively banned for diving, but Shaun Miller of League Two side Carlisle United and Bristol City’s Bailey Wright were previously handed suspensions due to the new rules.

Everton’s Oumar Niasse to serve two-match suspension after ‘Successful Deception of a Match Official’ charge found proven. Full statement: https://t.co/YQRLCjMl82 pic.twitter.com/ytsXorMSif

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) November 22, 2017

Earlier on Wednesday, Everton’s caretaker manager David Unsworth defended Niasse against the charge and insisted his player was fouled by Dann.

“He was shocked and I was shocked,” he said. “He doesn’t tell lies and he wouldn’t go down without reason. He wants to score goals.

“Contact or slight contact, it doesn’t matter. We’re all bitterly disappointed. My view won’t change. Contact is contact. Anywhere on the pitch, it’s a foul.”