Oumar Niasse will miss Everton’s next two games after his appeal against a ban for “successful deception of a match official” was rejected by the Football Association.
Niasse became the first Premier League player charged with the offence earlier this week after diving to win Everton a penalty, converted by Leighton Baines, in their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace.
The striker had insisted after the match that there had been contact between himself and Palace captain Scott Dann, who subsequently accused Niasse of “conning” referee Anthony Taylor.
The FA evidently agreed with Dann’s assessment of the incident and Niasse will now miss Everton’s league games at Southampton and at home to West Ham.
A statement from the governing body confirmed: “Everton’s Oumar Niasse will serve a two-match suspension with immediate effect after his denial of an FA charge of ‘successful deception of a match official’ was rejected.
“It was alleged he committed an act of simulation which led to a penalty being awarded in the 5th minute of the game against Crystal Palace on 18 November 2017.
“He denied the charge, however, it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Wednesday 22 November 2017].
“Incidents which suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation are referred to a panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player.
“Each panel member will be asked to review all available video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it was an offence of ‘successful deception of a match official’.
“Only in circumstances where the panel are unanimous would The FA issue a charge.”
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Everton interim manager David Unsworth said of the decision: “I’m disappointed. The referee is right there. There is contact. It’s slight but it is contact. Anywhere else on the pitch it’s a foul. He was shocked and I was shocked.
“He doesn’t tell lies. He wouldn’t go down for no reason. I’ve worked with him for a year and he’s always one who takes an opportunity to shoot.“
Meanwhile Everton have also been fined £26,644 (€30,000) after a fan tried to punch an opposing team's goalkeeper during a Europa League game against Lyon.
