On This Day in 2017 – Everton’s Oumar Niasse hit with retrospective diving ban

Everton striker Oumar Niasse became the first Premier League player to be hit with a retrospective suspension for diving on this day in 2017.

The Senegal international was handed a two-match ban by the Football Association after winning a controversial penalty, under pressure from Scott Dann, in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Niasse’s punishment came six months after the FA voted in favour of introducing new laws in an attempt to clamp down on players diving or feigning injury.

Everton’s Oumar Niasse to serve two-match suspension after ‘Successful Deception of a Match Official’ charge found proven. Full statement: https://t.co/YQRLCjMl82 pic.twitter.com/ytsXorMSif

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) November 22, 2017

Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth felt a “dangerous precedent” could be set by the sanction.

“I think these people (the FA) will be very busy,” he said. “He (Niasse) was shocked and I was shocked (by the charge).

“It’s a dangerous precedent that could be set if decisions are given against you which are debatable.”

Niasse denied he had “committed an act of simulation” which led to a spot-kick being awarded in the fifth minute of the game in south London.

RH: I didn’t think it was a foul [for the penalty]. The only reason it’s a penalty is because it was given as a penalty.#CPFC #CRYEVE pic.twitter.com/DFhZ7nDZv9

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 18, 2017

But he was found guilty by the FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission, which includes former players.

Leighton Baines converted the contentious penalty to cancel out James McArthur’s early opener before Niasse earned Everton a point by equalising following a goal from Eagles forward Wilfried Zaha.

Palace boss Roy Hodgson said: “My only satisfaction is that the FA and the people who make those decisions have sided with me rather than the player.”