Everton’s Senegalese striker Oumar Niasse has become the first Premier League player to be charged with simulation by the Football Association, after he won a controversial penalty in Saturday’s draw at Crystal Palace.
The 27-year-old went down in the six-yard area after minimal contact from Scott Dann, with Leighton Baines scoring from the resulting penalty.
Niasse went on to score a second goal to earn his side a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.
The FA has given him until 1800GMT to respond.
New laws were introduced at the beginning of the 2017/18 season, allowing players to be charged after a game for simulation.
If the panel which convenes to oversee his case unanimously agree that Niasse was guilty of the offence, he could be hit with a two-match suspension.
“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,” the FA said in a statement.
Niasse has been in fine form for his club following a failed loan move to Crystal Palace on transfer deadline day, having been deemed as surplus to the Mersey side’s requirements.
The Senegalese has scored five times for Everton, and is the side’s top scorer so far.
