Online Reporter
ARNE Slot told referee Michael Oliver that he would “F*****G BLAME” him if Liverpool did not win the league in a four-letter torrent of abuse after last month’s Merseyside derby.
Reds boss Slot was handed a two-match ban and fined £70,000 for his meltdown after the 2-2 Goodison draw.
And the FA has now published the full written reasons for the penalties imposed on Slot, his assistant Sipke Hulshoff and BOTH clubs after incidents sparked by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stoppage-time equaliser celebrations.
The three-person commission explained: “It was reported by the Referee that following the full-time whistle, he was approached by Arne Slot who had entered the field of play to confront the referee and the match officials team.
“Tensions were running high. It was alleged that Arne Slot’s manner was confrontational and aggressive.
“It was alleged that he initially used abusive words whilst shaking the referee’s hand.
“Including that the referee had ‘f****** give them everything’ and that he hoped that the Referee “was proud of that performance.”
“The referee thereafter confirms (having reviewed the video footage to clarify) that he was approached again by Arne Slot around one minute later.
“In this exchange, Arne Slot once again shook the referee’s hand and said, ‘If we don’t win the league, I’ll f****** blame you.”
“It is then further alleged that Arne Slot turned to the assistant referee and shouted twice that it was ‘a f****** disgrace.’
“As a result, he was shown a red card by the referee.”
Oliver also reported that Hulshoff, who also received a two-game touchline ban but was only fined £7,000, had continued the verbal fusillade.
The commission said: “Hulshoff is alleged to have entered the field of play following the full-time whistle to confront the referee in an ‘extremely aggressive manner.’
“It is alleged he said the referee was ‘f*****g’ s**t’ and ‘gave them everything’ and he was a ‘f****** disgrace.’
“We are advised that the referee attempts to remove himself from the situation to deal with the dismissals of Jones and Doucoure but Hulshoff continues to follow him and is eventually restrained by colleagues, but continues to shout ‘f****** shit.’
“He was also shown a red card by the Referee and dismissed.”
While both Slot and Hulshoff admitted their misconduct charges, the manager “disputed” Oliver’s version of events.
He claimed he had actually said: “If we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that” but conceded his actions were “unacceptable”. — Sun.
