It has now been revealed what Arne Slot said to referee Michael Oliver to earn himself a red card at the end of Liverpool’s game with Everton last month.
Everton’s equaliser in the eighth minute of injury time was the latest goal scored on record in a Premier League Merseyside derby.
The Reds boss was given a two-match ban and fined £70,000 by an independent Football Association commission, after accepting a charge of “acting in an improper manner and using insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee.”
Oliver alleged that Slot said: “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f****** blame you,” while shaking his hand at the end of the game.
Slot disputed the 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”. He did not dispute saying “F****** disgrace” to the assistant referee.
The FA also alleged the Reds boss said Oliver “F****** give them everything”, and hoped the referee “was proud of that performance”.
Slot acknowledged his actions were unacceptable and had allowed his frustrations to get the better of him, because he felt certain decisions during the game went against his side.
The commission acknowledged he had since made a sincere apology both privately and in public and, as a result, his fine was reduced from £100,000 to £70,000.
