Liverpool manager Arne Slot told referee Michael Oliver that he would hold him responsible if Liverpool failed to win the Premier League this season.
The Dutch coach received a red card after confronting Oliver and one of his assistant referees on the pitch following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby last month.
As a result, Slot was handed a two-match ban and fined £70,000 by an independent Football Association (FA) commission. He accepted the charge of misconduct, which included using insulting and abusive language towards the match officials.
Oliver alleged Slot, while shaking the official’s hand, said: “If we don’t win the league, I’ll [expletive] blame you.”
Slot disputed the alleged language used, claiming he instead said “if we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that”.
But the commission decided it was “more likely than not that Arne Slot used the language alleged by the referee and the FA”.
The FA argued the discrepancy didn’t make a material difference to the sanction because the words used still constituted Slot acting in an improper manner.
Slot accepted that, and did not dispute stating “[expletive] disgrace” to the assistant referee as part of his angry outburst.
The FA also alleged the Reds boss said Oliver “[expletive] give them everything”, and hoped the referee “was proud of that performance”.
Slot admitted that his actions were unacceptable, saying he let his frustrations take over because he believed some decisions in the game were unfair to his team.
The FA commission noted that he had since offered a sincere apology, both privately and publicly.
Due to mitigating factors—including his apology, early admission of the charge, and clean disciplinary record—his fine was reduced from £100,000 to £70,000.
Speaking before Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 first-leg match against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday, Slot said: “The moment it happened, I was quite emotional [about] everything that happened in the game.
“I chose to go on the pitch instead of staying calm and staying inside to talk to Michael [Oliver]. I don’t have these emotions now so I should set a better example.”
Slot’s assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff was also given a two-match touchline ban and fined £7,000 after the FA alleged he approached Oliver in an “extremely aggressive manner”, and said he was a “[expletive] disgrace”.
Liverpool and Everton were both charged for failing to control their players, who behaved in an improper and provocative manner.
The late drama at Goodison Park started when James Tarkowski scored a 98th-minute equaliser for Everton, which was awarded after a VAR check.
Liverpool strongly believed the goal should have been disallowed, arguing that Everton striker Beto had fouled Ibrahima Konate in the build-up.
After the final whistle, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrated in front of Liverpool fans, leading to a confrontation with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones. Both players received second yellow cards and were sent off.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown red cards after confronting referee Michael Oliver on the pitch.
Slot will complete his touchline ban before returning to the dugout after the international break when Liverpool faces Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final on 16 March.
Currently 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, Liverpool will next play Everton at Anfield on 2 April.
