Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, has been handed a two-game touchline ban and fined £70,000 after his actions following the Merseyside Derby earlier this month.
The penalty comes after a red card was issued to Slot at the end of the heated 2-2 draw at Everton.
The incident unfolded when Slot, after shaking hands with referee Michael Oliver, was seen speaking to the official before being shown a red card.
The FA charged Slot for “improper manner and/or using insulting and/or abusive words and/or behavior” towards both the match referee and an assistant referee, which Slot admitted to.
As a result of the ban, Slot will miss Liverpool’s upcoming matches, including their game against Newcastle on Wednesday and the Premier League fixture against Southampton on March 8.
The FA’s decision was confirmed to Liverpool on Tuesday.
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Slot’s assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, was also sent off post-match and has been given a two-match suspension and a £7,000 fine for similar behavior toward match officials.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was another player involved, receiving a red card after clashing with Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, leading to a second yellow card.
Additionally, both Everton and Liverpool have been hit with fines for player conduct following the match. Everton has been fined £65,000, while Liverpool must pay £50,000.
The FA cited both clubs for “improper and/or provocative behavior” from players after the final whistle.
The fiery end to the derby, filled with tension between players and officials, has certainly left its mark, and Liverpool will now have to adjust to life without their head coach on the touchline for the next few crucial games.
