- Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline ban
- The Dutchman allegedly shook Michael Oliver’s hand while swearing at him
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline ban after it was revealed he launched a furious tirade at referee Michael Oliver following the dramatic Merseyside Derby two weeks ago.
According to the referee’s report, tensions boiled over at full-time, with Slot storming onto the pitch to confront Oliver and his officiating team. The Dutchman allegedly shook Oliver’s hand while fuming that the referee had ‘f***ing given them everything’ and sarcastically asked if he was ‘proud’ of his performance.
Slot then approached Oliver again a minute later, reportedly telling him, ‘If we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you.’ He is also alleged to have turned to an assistant referee and shouted twice that the officiating was ‘a f***ing disgrace.’ The outburst resulted in Slot being shown a red card.
The FA charged Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff with improper conduct, with both receiving touchline bans and heavy fines—Slot fined £70,000 and Hulshoff £7,000.
The fiery conclusion to the 2-2 draw also saw a mass brawl break out, leading to red cards for Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure. Both clubs were fined for failing to control their players, with Liverpool accepting the charge.
With Slot and Hulshoff banned, former Everton defender Johnny Heitinga is set to lead the team from the touchline for Wednesday’s clash against Newcastle.
Arne Slot was sent off after the Merseyside derby following a confrontation with Michael Oliver
It has now been confirmed the Liverpool boss will serve a two-match touchline ban
The incident report stated: ‘It was reported by the Referee that following the full-time whistle, he was approached by LFC’s Arne Slot (‘AS’) who had entered the field of play to confront the Referee and the Match Officials team.
‘Tensions were running high. It was alleged that AS’ manner was confrontational and aggressive. It was alleged that he initially used abusive words whilst shaking the Referee’s hand including that the Referee had ‘f***ing give them everything’ and that AS hoped that the Referee ‘was proud of that performance.’
‘The Referee thereafter confirms (having reviewed the video footage to clarify) that he was approached again by AS around one minute later. In this exchange, AS once again shook the Referee’s hand and said ‘if we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you.’
‘It is then further alleged that AS turned to the Assistant Referee and shouted twice that it was ‘a f***ing disgrace.’ As a result of AS’ conduct, he was shown a red card by the Referee.’
The report went on to state: ‘Sipke Hulshoff (‘SH’) is alleged to have entered the field of play following the full-time whistle to confront the Referee in an ‘extremely aggressive manner.’ It is alleged that SH said the Referee was ‘f***ing s**t’ and ‘gave them everything’ and he was a ‘f***ing disgrace.’
‘We are advised that the Referee attempts to remove himself from the situation to deal with the dismissals of CJ and AD, but SH continues to follow him and is eventually restrained by colleagues, but continues to shout ‘f***ing s**t.’ SH was also shown a red card by the Referee and dismissed.’
This is the second time this season that Slot has faced a touchline ban, having previously been forced to watch Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clash at Southampton from the press box.
Given his repeat offense, the FA treated this as a ‘non-standard’ case, allowing them discretion in their ruling.
Liverpool, who remain top of the Premier League, will hope to move past the controversy as they continue their title push—without their manager on the sidelines.
More to follow…
