Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be absent from the touchline for Wednesday’s home game against Newcastle after receiving a two-match suspension and a substantial fine for his conduct during the Merseyside derby.
The chaotic scenes unfolded after James Tarkowski scored a stoppage-time equalizer in Everton’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Goodison Park on February 12.
Following the final whistle, referee Michael Oliver sent off Slot, his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure.
On Wednesday, the FA announced that an independent regulatory commission had sanctioned Everton, Liverpool, Slot, and Hulshoff.
“It was alleged that the Liverpool head coach acted improperly and/or used insulting or abusive language and behavior towards both the match referee and an assistant referee after the game,” the FA statement read.
“Arne Slot admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a two-match touchline suspension and a £70,000 ($89,000) fine.”
Additionally, Everton and Liverpool were fined £65,000 and £50,000, respectively.
Slot and Hulshoff were both dismissed after confronting Oliver following the match. Speaking at a press conference two days later, Slot admitted he had let his emotions get the best of him and acknowledged he had made the wrong decision.
“I should have handled things differently after the game, but football is an emotional sport, and sometimes people make mistakes—that’s exactly what I did,” the Dutch coach stated.
Jones and Doucoure were involved in a confrontation after the Everton midfielder celebrated in front of Liverpool supporters, prompting Jones to react before players and staff from both teams intervened.
Slot will be watching from the stands for Wednesday’s game against Newcastle, as well as Liverpool’s home match against Southampton on March 8.
However, the ban only applies to domestic fixtures, meaning he will be allowed on the touchline when Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16 first leg on March 5 and during the League Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley on March 16.
Currently leading the Premier League, Liverpool hold an 11-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal and are strong contenders to claim their 20th English top-flight title.
