By Abigail Philip David
Liverpool manager Arne Slot will miss Wednesday’s home game against Newcastle after receiving a two-match touchline ban and a substantial fine following his conduct in the Merseyside derby against Everton.
The controversy erupted after James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time goal secured a dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on February 12, leading to heated exchanges. Referee Michael Oliver sent off Slot, his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure.
On Wednesday, the FA confirmed that an independent regulatory commission had imposed sanctions on both clubs, as well as Slot and Hulshoff.
“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,” the FA stated.
Slot admitted to the charge and has been handed a two-match suspension along with a £70,000 ($89,000) fine. Everton and Liverpool have also been fined £65,000 and £50,000, respectively.
The altercation escalated when Slot and Hulshoff confronted Oliver after the final whistle. Reflecting on the incident, Slot later admitted he let his emotions get the best of him.
“I should have acted differently after the game, but football is an emotional sport, and sometimes you make wrong decisions—that’s exactly what I did,” the Dutchman admitted.
Meanwhile, Jones and Doucoure clashed after the Everton midfielder celebrated in front of Liverpool fans, triggering a confrontation before players and staff intervened.
Slot’s suspension means he will be absent from the dugout for Liverpool’s matches against Newcastle and Southampton on March 8. However, the ban applies only to domestic fixtures, allowing him to be on the touchline for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on March 5 and the League Cup final against Newcastle on March 16.
Liverpool, currently 11 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, remain strong contenders for a record-equalling 20th English league title.
