Liverpool boss Arne Slot will have to watch his side’s next two Premier League games from the stand after being handed a touchline ban by the Football Association.
Slot confronted referee Michael Oliver at the end of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton on February 12 and was subsequently shown a red card. Slot was furious that James Tarkowski’s last-gasp equaliser had been allowed to stand and spoke with the official on the pitch and shook his hand in an aggressive manner.
The Dutchman will not be on the touchline for tonight’s Premier League clash with Newcastle at Anfield, or the home game with Southampton on March 8. He will, however, be allowed on the sidelines when Liverpool play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16, first leg on March 5 as the sanction applies to domestic games only.
An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Everton, Liverpool, Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff in relation to the Premier League fixture between the clubs on Wednesday 12 February.
Full statement: https://t.co/mtmeK8nsGx pic.twitter.com/eBKb1Y24CH
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) February 26, 2025
What the FA said about Arne Slot
The FA statement read: “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 £70,000 fine.”
Slot’s assistant Sipke Hulshoff has also been fined and handed a two-match touchline ban.
“It was alleged that the Liverpool assistant head coach acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official, which led to his dismissal,” the statement continued. “It was further alleged that he acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official after being sent off. Sipke Hulshoff admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a two-match touchline suspension and £7,000 fine.”
Liverpool and Everton also sanctioned
There was a coming together between the players following Tarkowski’s goal with Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure goading the Liverpool fans at Goodison Park. Reds midfielder Curtis Jones took exception to Doucoure’s actions and the pair tussled before others waded in.
That has led to both clubs receiving fines with the size of the sanctions indicating the bulk of the blame lay with the Toffees.
The FA said: “It was alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way following the final whistle. Everton and Liverpool admitted the charges, and the Regulatory Commission imposed £65,000 and £50,000 fines on them respectively following a hearing.”
Slot’s first domestic game back on the touchline will be the League Cup final at Wembley on March 16, also against Newcastle.
And he will be watching his team from close quarters in the Premier League again when Everton visit Anfield for what should be a spicy reverse fixture on April 2.