Diego Costa Accused of Assault by Stoke City Steward: Latest Details, Reaction

Tom Sunderland @@TomSunderland_Featured ColumnistNovember 7, 2015

Chelsea’s Diego Costa controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke on Trent, England, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

The fallout from Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Stoke City on Saturday has already taken a sour twist. There are reports striker Diego Costa has been accused of assault by a Britannia Stadium steward.

Sky Sports reported the Spain international was subjected to allegations of assault after the steward alerted referee Anthony Taylor of the incident, but the club have disregarded the complaint, calling it "utter nonsense."

Chelsea and Stoke City resolved the matter, per the report.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat to the Potters means Chelsea remain 16th in the Premier League after 12 matches and are just three points off the relegation zone, having lost seven league fixtures already this term.

Costa was banned for three matches earlier this season for violent conduct, per BBC Sport, and Saturday's allegations could throw new shade on the controversial attacker's campaign.

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