- Slot Faces Ban and Fine for confronting referee Oliver after the Everton draw
- The Liverpool manager admits to improper conduct and apologizes
- Assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff is also banned and fined for aggressive conduct
Arne Slot, the Dutch manager, was handed a straight red card after confronting referee Michael Oliver and one of his assistant referees following his team’s 2-2 draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby last month.
Slot was subsequently given a two-match ban and fined £70,000 by an independent Football Association commission after admitting to improper conduct and using abusive and insulting language toward both the referee and his assistant.
Oliver accused Slot of saying, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll [expletive] blame you” while shaking his hand. Slot, however, disputed this, claiming he had said, “If we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that.”
The commission, however, determined that it was “more likely than not” that Slot used the language as alleged by the referee and the FA. The FA argued that this discrepancy didn’t impact the severity of the punishment, as the words still represented improper behavior. Slot accepted this and also admitted to telling the assistant referee he was a “[expletive] disgrace” during the confrontation.
The FA also claimed that Slot told Oliver he “[expletive] gave them everything” and questioned whether the referee was “proud of that performance.” Slot acknowledged that his actions were unacceptable and that his frustration over certain decisions during the match had gotten the better of him. He later made a public and private apology for his behavior.
Due to mitigating factors, including his apology, prompt acceptance of the charge, and clean disciplinary record, Slot’s fine was reduced from £100,000.
Before Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Slot explained, “At the moment it happened, I was quite emotional about everything that had unfolded during the game. I chose to go onto the pitch rather than stay calm and speak with Michael [Oliver] privately. I no longer have these emotions, so I should have set a better example.”
Slot’s assistant coach, Sipke Hulshoff, also faced a two-match touchline ban and was fined £7,000 after the FA accused him of confronting Oliver aggressively and calling him a “[expletive] disgrace.”
Both Liverpool and Everton were charged with failing to ensure their players behaved in a manner that was neither improper nor provocative. The chaos at Goodison Park started after James Tarkowski scored a dramatic equalizer in the 98th minute for Everton, following a VAR review. Liverpool argued that the goal should have been disallowed due to a push by Everton’s striker Beto on Reds defender Ibrahima Konate in the build-up.
After the final whistle, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans, which led to a confrontation with Curtis Jones. Both players were sent off for receiving second yellow cards. Slot and Hulshoff were both red-carded for approaching Oliver on the pitch.
Following the two-match touchline ban, Slot will return to the dugout after the international break, when his side faces Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on March 16. Liverpool, who are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, will host Everton at Anfield on April 2.
