(Update: as expected, Diego Costa and Jose Mourinho are fighting against these charges)
Diego Costa is set to miss Saturday’s rematch with the Premier League champions, Manchester City, after the Football Association charged the Chelsea superstar striker with violent conduct.
The FA finds that Diego Costa had been guilty of a stamp on Emre Can 12 minutes into extra time.
The second alleged stamp, on Martin Skrtel, was deemed accidental and not worthy of sanction. Still Costa is banned for three games, including the top of the table match against City, who trail Chelsea by just five points. Costa will also miss the visit to Aston Villa on 7 February and the midweek game against Everton four days later.
Said a statement from the FA:
“Diego Costa has been charged by The FA for violent conduct following an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video. The charge is in relation to an incident involving the Chelsea forward and Liverpool’s Emre Can which occurred in the 12th minute of the League Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge last night.
“The player has until 6pm on Thursday, 29 January 2015 to respond to the charge. Following a review of an incident during the game involving Costa and Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel, The FA will not be taking any further action.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with Fox Sports Digital, eBay, Google News and CBS Interactive Inc. You can read Banks’ feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye newspaper and listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)

