Stoke City steward reports Diego Costa to referee in assault claim

A steward at Stoke City has reported Chelsea forward Diego Costa to the referee with a claim of assault.

The incident occurred in the Blues' defeat to Mark Hughes's men at the Britannia Stadium as the forward retrieved the ball from the touchline.

Costa has been accused of standing on the steward's foot before he was shoved back on to the pitch in the second half of the contest.

Referee Anthony Taylor has been informed of the incident, which he will reference in his match report to the Football Association, who may consider action against the 27-year-old.

Chelsea have reacted to the claim by suggesting that it is "utter nonsense", according to talkSPORT.

Costa has already been retrospectively punished once by the FA earlier this season when he was handed a three-match ban for a clash with Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista.