Arne Slot Handed Two-Match Touchline Ban

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received a two-match touchline ban and a £70,000 fine following his dismissal in the 2-2 Premier League draw against Everton at Goodison Park on February 12th. Slot was sent off for approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch after the final whistle.

The ban means Slot will be absent from the dugout for Liverpool’s upcoming home league matches against Newcastle United on Wednesday and Southampton on March 8th. He will, however, be permitted to be on the touchline for the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie against Paris St-Germain on March 5th.

The punishment was handed down by an independent Football Association commission after Slot accepted the charge. Liverpool assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff also received a two-match ban and a £7,000 fine for his involvement in the incident. Both Liverpool and Everton were fined, £65,000 and £50,000 respectively, for failing to control their players.

The chaotic scenes at the end of the match were sparked by James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equalizer for Everton, which led to some Everton fans entering the field of play. Liverpool felt the goal should have been disallowed for a push on Ibrahima Konate in the build-up, a decision that was checked by VAR but ultimately upheld.

Arne Slot exchanged words with one of the assistant referees before shaking hands with Oliver, who then showed him a red card. Hulshoff was also dismissed. Slot, unable to conduct post-match media duties due to the red card, later expressed frustration with the amount of stoppage time played, given that only five minutes were initially indicated. He apologized two days later, saying that his emotions got the better of him.

Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones were also sent off after the final whistle for receiving second yellow cards. Both served one-match suspensions.

Slot’s first domestic game back in the dugout will be the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on March 16th, following the international break. Liverpool, currently 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League, face Everton in the return fixture at Anfield on April 2nd. This is not Slot’s first touchline ban this season; he was previously banned for the EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton in December after accumulating three yellow cards.