Everton striker Oumar Niasse is facing a two-match ban for his dive against Crystal Palace.
Everton striker Oumar Niasse made Premier League history this afternoon by becoming the first player to be charged by the Football Association for the “successful deception of a match official”.
As per new laws introduced in May of this year, the Senegalese now faces a two-match suspension for his dive to win a penalty against Crystal Palace on Saturday, should Everton’s appeal be rejected.
This would come as a huge blow to David Unsworth, who has relied heavily on Niasse in recent matches.
The 27-year-old has finally been given a chance to prove himself at Goodison Park after 18 months in the wilderness, and has scored in each of Everton’s last two matches to take his tally to five in four league starts this season.
In fact, Niasse is actually the Premier League’s most influential goalscorer, with his goals this campaign helping Everton to six points, making them worth more than those scored by any other player.
With Everton dallying on finding a permanent replacement for Ronald Koeman, Unsworth still has the opportunity to put his name in the frame for the job full time, or at least until the end of the season.
Upcoming games against fellow strugglers Southampton and West Ham United looked very winnable until news of Niasse’s impending ban. The Toffees have not won a game in which he has not played since August.
Failure to record victory against either the Saints or the Hammers would almost certainly force Everton’s hand regarding a new manager and leave caretaker boss Unsworth out of contention.
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