Liverpool coach Arne Slot will be away from the touchline for Wednesday’s home game against Newcastle after receiving a two-match suspension and a hefty fine for his actions during the Merseyside derby.
The issue erupted after James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equalizer earned Everton a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on February 12, causing chaos.
Referee Michael Oliver sent out Slot, his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, and Everton player Abdoulaye Doucoure.
On Wednesday, the FA stated that an independent regulatory commission had sanctioned Everton, Liverpool, Slot, and Hulshoff.
The FA stated, “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 had finished.
“Arne Slot admitted the charge and the Regulatory Commission imposed a two-match touchline suspension and a £70,000 ($89,000) fine.”
Everton and Liverpool have both been fined £65,000 and £50,000, respectively. Slot and Hulshoff were banned for approaching Oliver after the final whistle.
Reflecting on the event two days later, Slot said he had let emotions get the best of him.
“I should have acted differently after the game, but it’s an emotional sport, and sometimes individuals make wrong decisions—and that’s definitely what I did,” the Dutchman said.
Jones and Doucoure had an altercation after the Everton player celebrated in front of Liverpool fans, prompting Jones to confront him before both teams’ players and staff intervened.
As a result of the ban, Slot will be in the stands for Liverpool’s matches against Newcastle and Southampton on March 8, but the suspension only applies to domestic fixtures, allowing him to be on the touchline when Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
