Liverpool boss Arne Slot handed two-match touchline ban in Premier League following Merseyside derby incident
Updated 26/02/2025 at 11:32 GMT
Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline ban following his interaction with referee Michael Oliver in the Merseyside derby, effective immediately, as well as a £70,000 fine, according to the FA. The Liverpool manager confronted Oliver after Everton's last-gasp equaliser in the final ever derby at Goodison Park, with Slot and his technical staff arguing the goal shouldn't have stood.
'Emotions got better of me' - Liverpool boss Slot speaks after Merseyside derby red card
Video credit: SNTV
Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £70,000 for his role in the melee after the recent Merseyside derby.
The FA has issued a raft of fines to both Everton and Liverpool, as well as Slot and his assistant coach, Sipke Hulshoff, with a suspension for both men effective immediately.
A dramatic derby - the last ever at Goodison Park - ended in a fracas as Everton's James Tarkowski scored an equaliser deep in stoppage time to make it 2-2.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones were both sent off for squaring up in the aftermath as the Everton player celebrated in front of the away fans, prompting several more players to get involved.
Slot and Hulshoff were also dismissed after the final whistle as Liverpool argued a foul in the build-up meant the goal shouldn't have stood.
The manager was seen confronting referee Michael Oliver, firmly shaking his hand and exchanging words, which prompted the official to immediately brandish his red card.
An FA statement read, "An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Everton, Liverpool, Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff in relation to the Premier League fixture between the clubs on Wednesday 12 February.
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Tarkowski slams home last-gasp equaliser as Everton fans pour onto pitch
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The Liverpool manager allegedly 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 £70,000 fine.
"It was alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way following the final whistle.
"Everton and Liverpool admitted the charges, and the Regulatory Commission imposed £65,000 and £50,000 fines on them respectively following a hearing."
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The touchline ban, which is only for league games, means Slot will miss both Wednesday's match against Newcastle United at Anfield - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ from 18:30 - as well as their subsequent match against bottom-placed Southampton.
But the Dutchman will return in time for another encounter with Newcastle, in the Carabao Cup final on March 16.
His first Premier League game back on the touchline will be against Everton in the reverse Merseyside fixture at Anfield - which seems likely to feature a similarly tense atmosphere.
The FA's Regulatory Commission will list its reasons for the sanctions "in due course", the FA statement concluded.
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