Everton's Niasse to serve 2-match suspension for simulation

A rejected appeal means Oumar Niasse is the Premier League's first-ever footballer to be suspended for successful deception of a match official.

On Wednesday, the Football Association announced Niasse is to serve a two-match suspension after his denial of a charge was rejected. It was alleged that the Senegalese striker committed an act of simulation as Everton and Crystal Palace played out a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park, and, after he denied the charge, it was found proven by an independent regulatory commission.

Anthony Taylor, the referee, awarded a penalty kick after deeming Niasse was fouled by Scott Dann in the fifth minute, allowing Leighton Baines to score an equaliser following James McArthur's first-minute goal.

In May, the FA extended its powers to punish simulation retrospectively. A new offence, Successful Deception of a Match Official, was introduced for the 2017-18 Premier League season.

"Where there is clear and overwhelming evidence to suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation, and as a direct result, the offending player's team has been awarded a penalty and/or an opposing player has been dismissed, the FA will be able to act retrospectively under its Fast Track system," the FA said.