Liverpool’s Van Dijk Faces Extended Ban and Hefty Fine After Red Card Row

Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk has received an extended one-game suspension and a £100,000 ($124,000) fine for his fiery reaction to a red card during a match against Newcastle.

Van Dijk openly admitted to acting improperly after his ejection due to a foul on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak in the first half of Liverpool’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park in August.

The Netherlands star vehemently believed that the tackle did not warrant a sending-off and initially refused to exit the pitch, engaging in a heated exchange with referee John Brooks.

An automatic one-match ban led to Van Dijk’s suspension for Liverpool’s subsequent 3-0 victory over Aston Villa before the international break.

However, he now faces an additional suspension, preventing him from participating in Liverpool’s match against Wolves on September 16.

The Football Association released a statement on Friday, stating, “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 the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission.”

By AFP