Arne Slot reportedly launched an expletive-laden tirade at referee Michael Oliver, blaming him for any potential failure in Liverpool’s Premier League title pursuit after last month’s heated Merseyside derby. Both Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, received red cards at the final whistle following a tense 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
The Football Association responded with strict disciplinary action. Slot was handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £70,000 after admitting to improper conduct, including using insulting and abusive language toward the match officials. Hulshoff received a similar two-match suspension and a £7,000 fine for his conduct during and after the game.
The FA later released a report detailing the reasoning behind these punishments, shedding light on what transpired between Slot, Hulshoff, and the match officials. According to Oliver’s report, Slot’s behavior was aggressive and confrontational as he stepped onto the pitch to confront the officials. He allegedly accused them of favoring the opposition, stating, “You f***ing give them everything,” before sarcastically asking if Oliver was proud of his performance.
A minute later, Slot reportedly approached Oliver again, shook his hand, and declared, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you.” However, the Liverpool manager countered that his actual words were, “If we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that.” The FA sided with the officials, maintaining that Slot’s language was as originally reported.
The FA’s report also claimed Slot turned his frustration toward the assistant referee, twice calling the officiating “a f***ing disgrace” before being shown a red card. He did not deny making these remarks.
Slot’s swift apology, both privately and publicly, and his immediate admission of the charge prevented a harsher penalty. The commission initially considered a three-match ban and a £100,000 fine but opted for a reduced punishment due to his cooperation.
Hulshoff, meanwhile, was described as confronting Oliver in an “extremely aggressive manner.” He allegedly branded the referee “f***ing shit” and accused him of bias. Even after being restrained by colleagues, he continued shouting profanities toward the official before he was also dismissed.
When accepting the charge, Hulshoff sought to clarify his remarks. He claimed that his words were not directed personally at Oliver but rather at the referee’s decisions, which he believed led to chaos on the pitch. He specifically stated that he was criticizing “s**t decisions” rather than attacking Oliver himself.
Hulshoff avoided a three-match suspension and a £10,000 fine due to his early admission of guilt, apology, and clean disciplinary record.
The match’s tensions extended beyond the coaching staff, as Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were both sent off after a confrontation. Doucoure had celebrated in front of Liverpool fans, sparking Jones’ reaction.
As a result, both Liverpool and Everton faced fines for failing to control their players and staff. Liverpool accepted a £50,000 penalty, while Everton was fined £65,000. The FA’s report highlighted that Liverpool admitted to the charge early, expressed regret, and reminded players of their responsibilities. The club emphasized that such confrontations have no place in professional football.
Liverpool argued that their sanction should be on the lower end of the scale, pointing out that Doucoure’s provocation initiated the altercation. The club suggested a £20,000 fine as a more appropriate punishment.
Everton, on the other hand, shifted the blame toward Jones. The club acknowledged that Doucoure’s actions were “ill-advised” but insisted he was not close to the crowd. They claimed Jones’ reaction was excessive, as he “chased after, shoved, and grabbed Doucoure from behind” instead of allowing the officials to handle the situation.
Everton requested only a warning from the FA. However, if a fine was necessary, they argued it should be within the standard penalty range, given that the incident took place on the pitch and not near the fans. They also stated that their coaching staff had primarily tried to diffuse the situation rather than escalate it.
Despite both clubs’ defenses, the FA commission deemed the confrontation more serious than either Liverpool or Everton admitted. The ruling underscored the governing body’s commitment to maintaining discipline and ensuring that match officials and players adhere to the highest standards of professionalism.
