Arne Slot found himself in hot water following the intense draw at Everton, where high emotions culminated in late-game drama. Slot, along with his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, was shown a red card after an altercation with referee Michael Oliver.
The FA stepped in, charging both men and handing Slot a two-match touchline suspension coupled with a hefty £70,000 fine. Currently, they have just one game left to serve out their suspension, which is set to conclude after their upcoming match against Southampton on Saturday.
Curiosity had been swirling over Slot’s exchange with Oliver post-match, where many attempted to lip-read their heated interaction. Finally, the FA released details shedding light on what actually went down.
The Exchange Between Slot and Oliver
An image from the game shows the tension in the 245th Merseyside Derby, marking the last showdown at Goodison Park. According to the FA’s report, Oliver claimed that Slot accused him of being overly partial, shouting, "You’ve f***ing given them everything," and sarcastically added the hope that "pride" was felt in his performance.
A minute later, Slot reportedly returned for another round. This time he extended a handshake, but not without a parting shot: “If we don’t win the league, I’ll fing blame you.” The document also mentions Slot then directing his outrage at the assistant referee, pronouncing the whole situation as "a fing disgrace."
Slot’s demeanor was described as unapologetically confrontational and aggressive. However, the Liverpool manager contested the specifics, arguing that he said, “If we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that,” which he insists carries a distinct implication. Despite this correction, the FA concluded that the language’s nature was sufficient for sanction, reinforcing the testimony of the match officials.
No debate, however, arose concerning Slot’s outburst at the assistant referee, which undeniably called the officiating a "f***ing disgrace."
Other Revelations
Slot might have faced a more severe punishment—a three-match suspension—had he not expressed regret and offered a public apology during a press conference following the incident. His previous disciplinary record was also considered when determining the final penalty.
Slot requested that any punishments be staggered so both he and Hulshoff wouldn’t be simultaneously absent from the touchline. This plea fell flat as the commission found no "compelling reason" to grant this, emphasizing the consequences of reacting passionately in high-stakes situations.
As for Hulshoff, the assistant didn’t hold back either, reportedly labeling the referee’s decisions as “fing shit” and branding the overall officiating as a “fing disgrace.” It’s safe to say that emotions were running exceptionally high that evening!
