According to Sky Sports, the English FA have charged Everton striker Oumar Niasse with an alleged act of simulation.
It is a historic ruling, as no player has ever received the charge. The striker now has until 6am to appeal the decision. The incident in question occurred during the Toffees 2-2 draw at rock-bottom Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Niasse went down in the box while running alongside two Crystal Palace defenders, the closest of which was Eagles centre-back Scott Dann.
Referee Anthony Taylor then pointed to the spot. Full-back Leighton Baines then scored with the resulting spot-kick to make it 1-1.
If Niasse decides not to appeal then he could face the possibility of a two-game retrospective ban. If so he would become the first player to fall victim of the new rules on simulation brought in at the beginning of the season.
A panel of one ex-player and one ex-manager deal with any incidents were a player has allegedly attempted to deceive officials in order to gain a decision in his favour. The panel have to review the footage of the action separately and then come together to make a decision. Only when a unanimous decision is taken can the player be charged and face the prospective punishment of a ban.
A ban would be a major blow to Niasse and Everton, as he has been in good form in recent weeks. The striker has scored three goals in his last four Premier League after reviving his career on Merseyside following a frustrating first year with the club.
The Toffees are currently struggling in the Premier League. In fact, they are 16th in the table and only clear of the relegation zone by three points. Oumar Niasse is their top scorer in all competitions this season and is now a vital member of their team.
Everton have struggled for points this season and have yet to appoint a replacement for former boss Ronald Koeman. Interim boss David Unsworth has now taken four points from his last two games. However, there is uncertainty about his position in the long-term.
Watford boss Marco Silva is the favourite to be the next Everton boss, despite the fact that the Hornets are unwilling to allow the Portuguese boss permission to speak to the Merseysiders. The 40-year-old is reportedly first choice of the Toffees majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri for the role.
Former-Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has now emerged as a surprise contender for the job after his odds tumbled at the bookmakers over the last 24 hours. Not only has the experienced boss previously managed German giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona, along with AZ Alkmaar and the Netherlands national team.
The 66-year-old has enjoyed enormous success during his managerial career. He won domestic titles in his homeland, Spain and Germany, as well winning the Champions League with Ajax in 1995. Van Gaal reportedly retired from football management after leaving United in 2016. However, the rumour mill and the British tabloids are suggesting that the experienced boss may make a return to the game on Merseyside in the near future.