Diego Costa Facing Potential FA Ban for Emre Can 'Stamp' During Chelsea Win

Chelsea striker Diego Costa might be facing an extended period on the sidelines after appearing to stamp on Emre Can during his side's victory over Liverpool in the Capital One Cup.

The FA is sure to review the footage after the Spain international came down with force on Can's leg as the midfielder laid on the floor.

The 21-year-old was left in agony as play continued, suggesting referee Michael Oliver missed the incident.

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Former World Cup referee Graham Poll believes the powerful forward should have been issued a red card and may potentially suffer retrospective action, as reported by Joe Strange of the MailOnline:

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Diego Costa should have been dismissed early on against Liverpool for a blatant stamp on Emre Can and that would have cost Chelsea dear. They would have missed him for the rest of this game and then the massive Premier league clash against Manchester City this Saturday. 

The question now is will the Football Association act retrospectively and charge Costa with violent conduct? To do so they have to check that referee Michael Oliver did not see the incident; it might seem obvious that he didn't as he took no disciplinary action but once Oliver confirms that neither he nor his colleagues saw the stamp they should charge Costa. 

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Costa's removal from the match would have lent a different complexion to the rest of the game—which saw the Blues triumph following an extra-time header by Branislav Ivanovic.

The former Atletico Madrid striker has had a wonderful start to life at Stamford Bridge since his big money arrival from the La Liga champions in the summer. His contribution in front of goal has been vital to Chelsea's Premier League charge, with Costa hitting the back of the net an impressive 17 times in just 19 league games, per WhoScored.com.

Chelsea are still light in the striker department despite the presence of Didier Drogba and Loic Remy, and if Costa is now banned it will prove to be an exceptional opportunity for Manchester City to catch the current league leaders.

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Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry agreed with the opinion that Costa should have been ejected from the game, with the former Liverpool midfielder saying, per Strange:

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It's a blatant red card, bang out of order and takes a liberty. He stamps and it's a certain red card, but the ref can't see it. The implications would have been huge because he would have missed the game on Saturday [against Manchester City].

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And Henry backed up his colleague's view—highlighting the premeditated actions of the Brazilian-born player:

"It is a red card. He knows what he is doing. We all love his passion but he didn't have to go all the way and step on the guy."

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Costa was involved in a number of controversial incidents on the night including a debatable penalty decision involving Martin Skrtel, which was waved away on 22 minutes by referee Oliver, and an aggressive coming together with Reds legend Steven Gerrard late in the tie.

It seems unfathomable that Costa will not receive a ban with the apparent video evidence available and this will damage Jose Mourinho's best laid plans for the upcoming matches.

Costa may now miss the vital fixture against City, and with Sergio Aguero back in the champions' team—Manuel Pellegrini will have the edge.

Costa's bombastic style of play is something Chelsea do need, but he all too often oversteps the mark and turns confrontations ugly.

The stamp shows a dangerous side to his personality and a suspension is the expected course of action for the player.