The Liverpool Captain, Virgil Van Dijk, has been handed an additional one-match suspension along with a $107,135 fine by the English Football Association after he misbehaved following his red card at Newcastle last month.
Van Dijk was sent off for a foul on Alexander Isak in the first half of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at St James’ Park on August 27, but initially refused to leave the pitch and then seemed to be swearing at the fourth official John Brooks.
An automatic one-match ban followed, and the center-back was suspended for the 3-0 win over Aston Villa before the international break. But now, after admitting the charge of breaching FA Rule E3.1, he will also serve an additional game suspension and be fined by an independent commission
An FA statement 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 fixture against Newcastle United on Sunday August 27.”
“The defender admitted that he acted in an improper manner and used abusive and insulting words towards a match official after being sent off in the 29th minute, and an independent Regulatory Commission subsequently imposed the sanctions.”
“Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.”
As a result, Van Dijk will now miss Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Wolves on September 16.
The player has accepted the panel’s decision, mentioning the same in his statement.
“It was the first red card of my Liverpool career, and I let my frustrations get the better of me in an intense and heated moment.”
I apologized immediately to the match officials after the game and took full responsibility. Time to move forward now. I will continue supporting the team in every way I can.”
The incident will be a significant setback for Liverpool as Van Dijk has been integral to the team’s success over the past seasons. He will now have to sit out for the vital match against the Wolves and will be hoping to return to the field as soon as possible.
