Arsenal fans (and even some Chelsea fans) argued furiously that Gabriel Paulista was a victim of Diego Costa‘s on-the-field antics in their 0-2 loss this past weekend – and the FA finally agreed.
According to the Metro, the Football Association has rescinded the three-game ban that accompanied Gabriel’s red card for back-tapping Costa’s leg.
The official statement from the FA reportedly read: “Arsenal’s claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Gabriel has been upheld following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing… The player’s three-match suspension has, therefore, been withdrawn with immediate effect…”
The statement did note that Gabriel still faces a charge of improper conduct.
“Gabriel was dismissed for violent conduct during the game against Chelsea on Saturday 19 September 2015… The player is currently subject to a separate FA charge of improper conduct in relation to Saturday’s game and has until 6pm on Thursday 24 September 2015 to reply.”
The move comes on the heels of a suspension issued to Costa yesterday for his actions on Saturday which only earned a yellow from the officials.
Costa grabbed the face of and subsequently knocked down Laurent Koscielny with a chest bump. He later grabbed the neck of one of Arsenal’s players, bruising him in the process. For his actions, League officials charged Costa with ‘violent conduct’ and slapped him with a three-game suspension.
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