Deborah Akinyosoye
Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be absent from the touchline for Wednesday’s home game against Newcastle after receiving a two-match suspension and a hefty fine for his actions during the Merseyside derby.
The controversy arose after James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equaliser secured a 2-2 draw for Everton at Goodison Park on February 12, leading to chaotic scenes.
Referee Michael Oliver sent off Slot, his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, and Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré.
On Wednesday, the FA announced that an independent regulatory commission had sanctioned Everton, Liverpool, Slot, and Hulshoff.
The FA stated, “It was alleged that the Liverpool head coach acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee after the match had finished.
“Arne Slot admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a two-match touchline suspension and a £70,000 ($89,000) fine.”
Everton and Liverpool have also been fined £65,000 and £50,000, respectively.
Slot and Hulshoff were dismissed for approaching Oliver after the final whistle. Reflecting on the incident two days later, Slot admitted he had let emotions get the better of him.
“I should have acted differently after the game, but it’s an emotional sport, and sometimes individuals make the wrong decisions and that’s definitely what I did,” the Dutchman said.
The altercation between Jones and Doucouré stemmed from the Everton player celebrating in front of Liverpool fans, prompting Jones to confront him before both teams’ players and staff intervened.
As a result of the ban, Slot will be in the stands for Liverpool’s matches against Newcastle and Southampton on 8 March. However, the suspension applies only to domestic fixtures, allowing him to be on the touchline when Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on March 5, and in the League Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley on 16 March.
Liverpool, currently 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, remain strong favourites to secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.