Niasse given two-game ban for diving

The FA introduced new laws regarding simulation in May and the Senegalese forward is the first player in the Premier League to be hit with a retrospective ban.

Niasse won a controversial penalty during Everton's 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday, and a disciplinary panel judged that the 27-year-old had dived and deceived the officials when under pressure from Scott Dann.

The player denied that he had "committed an act of simulation" and appealed the charges, but the appeal was rejected by the FA and they handed him a two-game suspension.

Everton caretaker manager David Unsworth has said he is disappointed with the charge, and his player will miss Premier League matches at Southampton and at home to West Ham.

Unsworth said:  "My view won't change. Contact is contact. Anywhere on the pitch, it is a foul. It is a dangerous precedent that could be set."

An FA statement read: "It was alleged he [Niasse] committed an act of simulation which led to a penalty being awarded in the 5th minute of the game against Crystal Palace on 18 November 2017.

"He denied the charge, however, it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Wednesday 22 November 2017].

"Incidents which suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation are referred to a panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player.

"Each panel member will be asked to review all available video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it was an offence of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official'.

"Only in circumstances where the panel are unanimous would The FA issue a charge."