Diego costa claims referees hate getting booked

The infamous Diego Costa!

Yes, you're referring to the former Chelsea and Atlético Madrid striker, who was known for his fiery personality and tendency to get into controversies on the pitch. In 2014, Costa made a rather... interesting claim, stating that referees hate getting booked.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Costa said: "The referees hate getting booked. They don't want to give me a yellow card, but they have to. They're afraid of giving me a red card, because if they do, they'll get criticized."

This statement sparked a lot of debate and raised eyebrows, with many interpreting it as a veiled threat or an attempt to deflect criticism for his own behavior. Costa's comments were seen as a way to shift the focus away from his own actions and onto the referees, implying that they were biased against him.

Of course, this claim was met with skepticism by many, including referees and other players. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) even released a statement denying that referees hate getting booked, saying that their decisions are based solely on the laws of the game and not on personal feelings or biases.

Despite the controversy, Costa continued to be a polarizing figure in the world of football, known for his passion, skill, and, of course, his ability to get under the skin of opponents and referees alike!