Striker Diego Costa has denied biting Gareth Barry during Chelsea's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Everton.
The Spaniard was sent off following the clash with the Everton midfielder in the 84th minute at Goodison Park.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "Diego spoke to club officials and expressed regret over his reaction to the challenge from Barry that led to his red card.
"But Diego was also very clear that he did not bite him at any point during that altercation."
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink claims Everton deliberately provoked Costa, who had a running battle with Barry throughout the tie.
In the incident that led to Costa's second yellow card, the 27-year-old confronted Barry, moving his head towards him and in the direction of his neck.
"He was chased a bit in the game by Everton. They went after him. They knew it. It is within the rules," said Hiddink.
"As a referee you have to protect the situation, but knowing and feeling this atmosphere."
Hiddink, who managed Chelsea to victory over Everton in the 2009 FA Cup final, said he had not seen the incident that led to Costa's dismissal.
"I try to be fair in my judgement and it is difficult for me to say yes or no so I don't want to give judgement on this," he said.
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