Arne Slot, Liverpool, and Everton have been charged by the Football Association (FA) following heated altercations at the conclusion of the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
James Tarkowski’s dramatic late equalizer resulted in a 2-2 draw, sparking chaotic scenes between the two rivals and leading to four red cards. Slot, along with his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, was shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver after an incident following the final whistle.
Oliver also issued red cards to Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure for their involvement in a separate post-match incident.
The FA confirmed on Friday that Everton, Liverpool, Slot, and Hulshoff have been formally charged.
The statement read: “The Liverpool manager allegedly 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.
“It is alleged that Liverpool’s assistant manager 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.
“It is 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.”
The FA has given Everton, Liverpool, Slot, and Hulshoff until Wednesday, February 19, to submit their respective responses.
Liverpool were adamant that Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equalizer should have been disallowed due to a push on Ibrahima Konate by Everton striker Beto in the build-up.
Shortly after the final whistle, Doucoure celebrated in front of the Liverpool supporters, prompting Jones to confront him. Both players were subsequently shown second yellow cards and sent off.
Slot and Hulshoff also approached Oliver on the pitch and were dismissed with red cards. The Liverpool manager admitted that “emotions got the better of me” during his press conference on Friday.
“What happened was that, during the stoppage time, there was a lot that happened and the emotions got the better of me,” Slot said.
“I would have loved to do it differently if I could go back. I hope to do it differently the next time as well.”
There is no automatic suspension for managers who are sent off, and the FA has until Monday to communicate any sanctions to Liverpool, who will then have three business days to respond. The FA will then have an additional three days to issue a reply.
This means Slot could still be on the touchline for Liverpool’s next two matches: against Wolves at home on Sunday and away at Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The severity of the disciplinary action will depend on the content of his words to Oliver and the referee’s report. If the misconduct is deemed serious enough, the FA’s Regulatory Commission could impose an extended touchline ban.
Slot has already served one touchline ban this season after accumulating three yellow cards in December, which forced him to watch the Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Southampton from the stands.
