Arne Slot Handed Two-Game Touchline Ban After Everton Red Card
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been handed a two-game touchline ban following his red card in the dramatic Merseyside derby against Everton. The Dutchman was dismissed after approaching referee Michael Oliver at the end of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on February 12. His frustration boiled over as Liverpool conceded a last-minute equalizer, leading to chaotic scenes on the pitch.
With this suspension, Slot will be absent from the dugout for Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League matches—against Newcastle at Anfield on Wednesday and Southampton on March 8. However, he will be allowed to return to the touchline for the crucial Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain on March 5.
In addition to the ban, Slot has been hit with a £70,000 fine by an independent Football Association commission after accepting the charge. His assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, has also been given a two-game suspension and fined £7,000. Liverpool and Everton, meanwhile, have been penalized £65,000 and £50,000, respectively, for failing to control their players during the heated encounter.
Also Read:The controversy erupted after James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equalizer, which sparked wild celebrations among Everton fans, some of whom stormed onto the pitch. Liverpool players and staff were incensed, believing that the goal should have been disallowed due to a push on Ibrahima Konaté in the buildup. Slot confronted an assistant referee and exchanged words before shaking hands with Oliver—only to be shown a red card immediately after. Hulshoff was also dismissed in the chaos.
Unable to speak to the media after the match, Slot later admitted that emotions had got the better of him. Speaking in a press conference two days after the game, he acknowledged his frustration over the extended stoppage time, stating, “Initially, five minutes were signaled, but it ended up being eight. A lot happened, and I let my emotions take over. Looking back, I wish I had handled it differently.”
The fallout from the match didn't stop there. Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucouré were both sent off after the final whistle for second yellow cards, leading to one-game bans for each player.
Slot has been in the spotlight for disciplinary reasons before—he previously served a touchline ban in December for the EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton after accumulating three yellow cards. His return to domestic action will come after the international break, just in time for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle at Wembley on March 16.
Despite this setback, Liverpool remain in a strong position at the top of the Premier League, leading by 11 points. With key fixtures ahead, the Reds will be hoping to maintain their momentum as they push for more silverware. Slot’s absence from the touchline will be a challenge, but Liverpool’s squad and coaching staff will need to stay focused to ensure their title charge remains on track.
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