Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been slapped with a further one-match ban and a £100k fine for his furious reaction to his Newcastle sending off.
The defender was sent off at St James’ Park last month for a last-man foul on Magpies’ forward Alexander Isak. The red card came with an automatic one-game suspension due to it not being considered violent conduct.
A statement from the Football Association confirmed the Dutchman’s punishment on Friday. It read: “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 27 August.
“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. Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.”
Whilst his red card was a blow, Liverpool still managed to earn victory against Newcastle thanks to two late Darwin Nunez strikes, whilst the Reds easily batted aside Villa last week. The extended suspension now means Liverpool will be without their captain for next weekend’s showdown with Wolves at Molineux.
Source: Ghana/DenkyiramanRadio/919 FM / JUSTICE OPPONG MENSAH
