Slot said referee Oliver is to blame if Liverpool fail to win the title
source:Â http://www.richportaltv.com.
Referee Michael Oliver was warned by Liverpool manager Arne Slot that he would be held accountable if the team did not win the Premier League this season.
After his team’s 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton last month, the Dutchman attacked Oliver and one of his assistant referees on the field, earning him a straight red card.
After admitting to acting improperly and using derogatory and/or abusive language and/or behavior toward the match referee and an assistance referee, Slot was fined £70,000 and banned from two games by an independent Football Association committee.
Oliver alleged Slot, while shaking the official’s hand, said, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll [expletive] blame you.”
Slot claimed, “If we do not win the league, I will have you to thank for that.” He denied using the purported comments.
“More likely than not that Arne Slot used the language alleged by the referee and the FA,” the commission said.
The FA contended that as the words used still constituted Slot acting improperly, the distinction did not materially alter the sentence.
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 acknowledged his actions were unacceptable, and he let his frustrations 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.
Slot’s fine was reduced from £100,000 due to mitigating factors, including his apology, admitting the charge at the earliest opportunity, and because he had no previous record of misconduct.
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 an “expletive] disgrace”.
Liverpool and Everton were both charged with failing to ensure their players did not behave in a way that was improper or provocative.
The late chaos at Goodison Park began after James Tarkowski scored a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer for Everton, which was awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) check.
Liverpool were adamant the goal should have been disallowed because of a shove by Toffees striker Beto on Reds defender Ibrahima Konate in the build-up.
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure then celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans at the final whistle before being confronted by visiting midfielder Curtis Jones, with both players sent off for second yellow-card offenses.
After approaching Oliver on the field, Slot and Hulshoff were both given the red card.
Slot’s first domestic match after serving the touchline ban will take place on March 16 when his team plays Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, following the international break.
On April 2, Liverpool, who lead the Premier League by 13 points, will visit Everton at Anfield.