It may be eight years since Diego Costa last pulled on a blue Chelsea shirt, but his famously feisty temper has not dwindled as he made his mark during a charity match on Saturday.
The Spanish striker, 37, led the line for the west London club as they took on a team of Liverpool legends for the Chelsea Foundation, with both sides fielding star-studded line-ups for the game.
But Costa saw himself embroiled in a spectacular bust up with old enemy Martin Skrtel, leading to a yellow card in remarkable scenes given the game was classed as a ‘friendly’ for charity.
The Reds defender was sharper off the mark as the ball was fed to Costa on the left channel, sliding from behind to win the ball from his rival.
Yet Costa was furious with the tenacity of the tackle, and immediately squared up to Skrtel.
The referee was swiftly at the scene and brandished a yellow card in the forward’s direction.
Diego Costa was up to his old tricks as he squared up to Martin Skrtel on Saturday
Costa, known for his hot temper at times, previously clashed with Skrtel back in January 2015
Their pair came to blows after the striker appeared to stamp on Skrtel in the Carabao Cup clash
It’s not the first time Costa and Skrtel haven’t seen eye to eye, with the pair famously coming to blows during their heyday in a League Cup clash back in 2015.
Costa was charged with violent conduct by the FA after allegedly stamping on both Skrtel and fellow Reds defender Emre Can during the match at Stamford Bridge, picking up a three-match ban.
Both incidents were not seen by referee Michael Oliver, forcing the FA to intervene and take retrospective action.
The first incident with Can occurred close to the technical area and sparked a furious response from the German.
Then, during the second half, Costa appeared to stamp on Skrtel in the Liverpool penalty area.
Brendan Rodgers, the then Liverpool boss, heavily criticised Costa after the game and claimed the striker could have seriously injured Skrtel with the alleged stamp.
‘He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could’ve been nasty,’ the manager said.
More to follow.
