Liverpool manager Arne Slot will miss Wednesday’s home fixture against Newcastle after being handed a two-match touchline ban and a substantial fine following his conduct during the heated Merseyside derby.
The controversy erupted after James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equalizer secured a 2-2 draw for Everton at Goodison Park on February 12, triggering chaotic scenes. Referee Michael Oliver sent off Slot, his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, and Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré in the aftermath.
On Wednesday, the Football Association (FA) confirmed that an independent regulatory commission had sanctioned Everton, Liverpool, Slot, and Hulshoff.
In a statement, the FA said: “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 confronting Oliver after the final whistle. Reflecting on the incident, 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 midfielder celebrating in front of Liverpool fans, prompting Jones to react before players and staff from both teams intervened.
As a result of the suspension, Slot will be absent from the touchline for Liverpool’s Premier League games against Newcastle and Southampton on March 8. However, the ban does not extend to European competitions, meaning he will be allowed on the sidelines when Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on March 5 and in the League Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley on March 16.
Liverpool, currently 11 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, remain firm favorites to claim a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
