The fallout from the tempestuous Merseyside derby continues as the Football Association has charged Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff with misconduct. The pair were sent off by referee Michael Oliver amid chaotic scenes following the 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
Slot approached Oliver after the final whistle as a melee erupted between the two sets of players, with Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucouré and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones both receiving red cards for second bookable offences. The Liverpool boss shook the referee’s hand but appeared to say something that provoked an immediate dismissal.
FA Levies Misconduct Charges
In an official statement, the FA confirmed the charges against Slot and Hulshoff:
Arne Slot has been charged with allegedly acting “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.”
Sipke Hulshoff has been charged with allegedly acting “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 FA also alleges Hulshoff “acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official after being sent off.”
Both Everton and Liverpool have also been charged for failing to ensure their players and staff conducted themselves in an orderly fashion following the final whistle. The clubs and individuals have until Monday to provide a response to the FA.
Potential Consequences for Slot
While a red card for a manager does not trigger an automatic suspension, Slot could still face a touchline ban depending on the severity of the charge and the contents of the referee’s report. The FA’s Regulatory Commission will review the evidence to determine if further disciplinary measures are warranted beyond a potential fine or reprimand.
The extent of any ban would hinge on exactly what Slot said to Oliver and the assistant referee that merited the dismissal. A lengthy suspension could sideline the Liverpool manager for crucial upcoming fixtures as the Reds battle for Champions League qualification.
Tensions Boil Over in Derby Clash
The incidents occurred after Everton defender James Tarkowski dramatically equalized in the 8th minute of stoppage time, rescuing a point for the Toffees in the last-ever derby at Goodison Park before their stadium move. The goal prompted a zealous celebration from Doucouré in front of the Liverpool supporters, sparking a furious reaction from Jones.
As players and staff from both teams clashed on the pitch, emotions spilled over into the technical areas. Slot’s post-match exchange with Oliver then led to the unusual sight of a manager being shown a red card after the game had concluded.
I feel for Arne Slot. He’s a young manager and this is a mistake he’s made. The referee lost control of the entire thing and that’s the ref’s job, to keep control of the match. It was mayhem all game.
– Everton manager David Moyes on Slot’s red card
Goodison Farewell Ends in Controversy
The explosive ending provided a fitting finale for Goodison Park’s 130-year history of hosting Merseyside derbies. Everton will leave their venerated home at the end of the season to move to a new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
While the atmosphere was always going to be highly charged for such an occasion, the FA will be concerned by the scenes that marred the contest’s conclusion. With both Arne Slot and Liverpool now facing an anxious wait over potential sanctions, the repercussions from this ill-tempered encounter look set to overshadow the on-field action.
