FA release statement explaining Arne Slot’s two-match ban following Merseyside derby

The Football Association has disclosed the X-rated rant that led to Arne Slot’s red card following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Everton last month.

Slot received a two-game touchline ban along with a £70,000 fine after being sent off by referee Michael Oliver at the conclusion of the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The match ended in dramatic fashion, with James Tarkowski scoring a 98th-minute equaliser to put the Reds’ title charge on edge.

According to the FA’s written report, Slot confronted the match officials after the final whistle, entering the pitch while emotions were running high.

The document says: “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****** give them everything’ and that AS hoped that the referee ‘was proud of that performance.’

The comments leading to Arne Slot’s sending off after the Merseyside Derby have been revealed by the FA#ITVFootball | #LFC pic.twitter.com/zFQAiTw19y

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“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****** blame you.’ It is then further alleged that AS turned to the assistant referee and shouted twice that it was ‘a f****** disgrace.’

“As a result of AS’ conduct, he was shown a red card by the Referee.”

While Slot accepted the charge, he contested the exact wording attributed to him.

The FA report continued: “In his submissions, AS, whilst admitting the charges, disputed the language alleged to have been used and suggested there may have been confusion between what AS and SH [Sipke Hulshoff, Liverpool assistant head coach] said to the referee.

“It was alleged that AS said whilst shaking the Referee’s hand, ‘if we don’t win the league, I’ll f****** blame you.’

“Instead, AS asserts that he in fact said, ‘if we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that.’

“The FA maintained that AS’ language and words were as reported by the match officials. However, the FA argued that this discrepancy didn’t make a material difference to the sanction, in any event, given the words used still constituted AS acting in an improper manner, and AS accepts the same.

Arne Slot was accused of telling match officials, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f*****g blame you” as tempers flared after the chaotic 2-2 draw with Everton last month.

Slot was shown a red card following a last-minute equaliser by Everton in the final Merseyside derby at… pic.twitter.com/0uU9E9ofTm

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“It should be noted that AS does not dispute stating ‘f****** disgrace’ to the assistant referee.”

Slot acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate and attributed his outburst to frustration over key refereeing decisions that he felt went against Liverpool. He later issued an apology, both privately and publicly, stating in a press conference:

“I think what happened was that the extra time, that additional five minutes that ended up being eight, a lot happened, and the emotions got the better of me. If I look back at it I would love to do it differently. I am hoping to do it differently next time as well.”

Slot began serving his two-match touchline ban during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle and will also be absent for the upcoming clash against Southampton.

Assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff, who was also sent off after full-time, received a two-match suspension and a £7,000 fine for his conduct.

The FA report went on to say:”Additionally, 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****** s***’ and ‘gave them everything’ and he was a ‘f****** disgrace.’ We are advised that the referee attempts to remove himself from the situation to deal with the dismissals of CJ [Curtis Jones] and AD [Abdoulaye Doucoure], but SH continues to follow him and is eventually restrained by colleagues, but continues to shout ‘f****** s***.’

“SH was also shown a red card by the referee and dismissed.”

In addition to Slot and Hulshoff, Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure also received red cards following a post-match altercation.