Scholes supports Costa in stamp controversy

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes Friday supported Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who is involved in a 'stamp' controversy.

Spaniard Costa allegedly stamped on Liverpool's German defender Emre Can Tuesday in the second leg of the Capital One semi-final at Stamford Bridge which the blues clinched 2-1 on aggregate.

In a column written for the Independent Scholes said he supports the Spanish striker as he believes he was under severe provocation from Liverpool defenders.

"As for Diego Costa, I see it differently to the rest. I thought his actions were at the lower end of the scale of dangerous and that he was under extreme provocation from Martin Skrtel, who has wound him up before this season," the 40-year-old former midfielder Scholes wrote.

"My view of it was that Costa gets kicked a lot and actually his patience is to be admired in many, if not all, situations."

The Football Association has, however, decided to charge the Chelsea striker for the first of two alleged stamps that he committed during the match.