Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk was suspended for an additional match and fined £100,000 after admitting to behaving inappropriately and using offensive and insulting words towards the match referee after being sent off against Newcastle last month.
The Netherlands international was sent off for a foul on Alexander Isak in the first half of Liverpool’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park on August 27, but initially refused to leave the field – and then protested to referee John Brooks.
An automatic one-match suspension saw the centre-back suspended during the 3-0 win over Aston Villa before the international break, but he will now also be subject to an additional suspension and therefore miss the trip to Wolves on September 16.
A statement issued by the FA said: “Virgil van Dijk has been suspended for one match and fined £100,000 for breaching FA Rule E3.1 during Liverpool’s Premier League match against Newcastle on Sunday 27 August.”
“The defender admitted that he behaved in an inappropriate manner and used offensive and insulting words towards the match referee after being sent off in the 29th minute, and the penalties were later imposed by an independent regulatory committee.”
Van Dijk told Dutch reporters after the Netherlands’ victory over Greece on Thursday that the matter was out of the ordinary.
“This was not typical for me,” he said.
“But it was a red card anyway. I’ve never had one before at Liverpool, I think only about four times in my whole career. But apart from that, I still started the season well.”
Reference: Watch the Van Dyke incident
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Van Dijk was sent off for a last man challenge on Isak
Should Van Dijk have been sent off?
Former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher:
“I think it’s wrong.
“Did he have a clear chance to score? Does he have possession of the ball? Yes, there is no doubt about that.
“Will he have a clear run towards goal? Well, as soon as he gets the ball he will move towards goal.
“Is he outside the penalty area? Yes, so the referee should send him off.
“He gets the ball but he gets the man first, there’s no doubt about that.
“I don’t think anyone could dispute that it’s wrong.”
Could Van Dijk face more problems for his behavior after the red card?
Former English Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher:
“It depends on what the referee says.
He added: “There is no doubt that it took a long time to leave the field, so we have to wait and see what the referee wrote about the incident in his report that will be sent to the FA, and that will be clarified after that.”
Liverpool’s next six matches in the English Premier League
September 16: Wolves (A)
September 24: West Ham (inside)
September 30: Tottenham (out) – live Sky Sports
October 8: Brighton (A)
October 21: Everton (inside)
October 29: Nottingham Forest (H)
