Diego Costa Given 3-Match FA Ban, Ruled out of Chelsea vs. Manchester City Clash

Chelsea's Diego Costa has been handed a three-match ban after being found guilty by the FA of a stamp on Liverpool's Emre Can.

The news was reported by the FA's official Twitter:

As a result, the striker will miss the Premier League-topping Blues' crucial Saturday clash with second-placed Manchester City.

As Costa is the English top flight's leading scorer, netting 17 times this season, per WhoScored, the FA's decision could prove significant in how the Stamford Bridge encounter plays out.

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Costa was charged for the first of two alleged stamps—the other on Martin Skrtel—during Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues eventually prevailed 1-0 in the encounter after extra time, a 2-1 aggregate victory sealing them a place in March's final at Wembley.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claimed after the match that both incidents were "absolutely accidental," per BBC Sport, although that was not the overwhelming attitude toward the Brazilian treading on Can.

The Times' Matt Hughes branded it "disgraceful," while The Independent's Ian Herbert reported the Liverpool players' response to the incident:

The 26-year-old Costa has a history of volatility on the football pitch, per the Daily Star, but he has been of huge benefit to Chelsea so far this season since arriving from Atletico Madrid for £32 million in the summer:

His contribution in front of goal has played a big part as Chelsea have opened a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table to City.

Saturday's match in west London gives the Blues a massive opportunity to open the gap to eight points, but Costa's absence could likely prove crucial.