Pele says Costa's act not as bad as Luis Suarez

Brazil football legend Pele has backed Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who has been handed a three-match ban by Football Association for his 'violent conduct' during their Premier league match against Arsenal, saying that Costa's act was nothing as compared Luis Suarez's bite on Giorgio Chiellini .

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The former player further said that everyone knows that Costa is a good player, adding that his act was extremely common for him, the Daily Express reported.

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The Spanish international was caught striking Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny with his hand twice before involving in an altercation with Arsenal's defender Gabriel on Saturday.

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Subsequently, both Arsenal players were given marching orders that left Arsene Wenger's side being reduced to nine men in their 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge.

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But that decision was overturned by the Football Association after the truth was caught on video following an appeal by Arsenal yesterday.

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In a major respite, Arsenal won an appeal against Gabriel's dismissal that will allow the 24-year-old to play in Arsenal's next game against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup.