Gareth Barry has refuted suggestions that Diego Costa bit him during Everton’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Chelsea.
Costa was sent off for a second bookable offence late in the Blues’ 2-0 victory and clashed with Barry, appearing to make a biting motion towards the midfielder before Michael Oliver gave the striker his marching orders.
Chelsea have issued a statement on the Spain international’s behalf disputing the claims, which have been echoed by Barry, who was also sent off later in the game after receiving a second yellow card, in a post on social media network Fanzai.
He said: “Seen a lot of talk about the incident involving me and Diego Costa in the game last night.
“For the record, Diego did note bite me.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez reaffirming the downplaying of the incident by both Barry and Costa.
“Gareth Barry has said it is nothing to worry about. I am just disappointed he collected a second yellow card,” said Martinez.
“From where it was, I haven’t seen the referee. He (Costa) moved his head towards Gareth and I lost the eyesight of that action. I thought it was a second yellow but it was a moment that didn’t have an impact on the scoreline.
“My interpretation is I don’t think it was a key moment. It was an emotional game and rightly so. Diego Costa had a fighting spirit and I would like to praise the referee.
“The sending off of Costa was right. The sending off of Gareth Barry was right and the referee never allowed those emotions to stop the fluency.
“Whatever happens with Costa, I am sure the two players shook it off.”