Arne Slot allegedly told Michael Oliver that he would blame the referee if Liverpool didn’t win the Premier League, as part of his foul-mouth assault on the official that saw him earn a red card against Everton last month.
The Dutchman was shown a straight red card by the referee after full-time at Goodison Park in last month's Merseyside derby and the details of what he said to Oliver have since been released by the FA as part of the independent regulatory commission's findings.
It states the referee was approached by Slot in a ‘confrontational and aggressive’ manner, and he used abusive words while shaking Oliver’s hand. Slot told the referee that he ‘“f**king give them [Everton] everything” and added he hoped Oliver ‘was proud of that performance’.
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The FA claims Slot then approached the official again around a minute later, again shaking hands and telling Oliver: "If we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you." He also twice shouted it was 'a f***ing disgrace' at the assistant referee, the detailed FA report adds in a 16-page report.
However, Slot refuted part of that and stated he told Oliver: "If we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that." The Liverpool boss provided written statement to the FA and apologized both privately and publicly.
Slot was one of four red cards following the chaotic scenes in the immediate aftermath of the 2-2 draw at Everton. His assistant Sipke Hulshoff was also sent off with the FA stating he entered the field of play after full-time in an 'extremely aggressive manner'. He allegedly told Oliver he was 'f***ing s**t', 'gave them everything' and was a 'f***king disgrace'. Hulshoff was eventually restrained but continued to shout 'f***ing s**t' at Oliver.
On the red cards for Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones, the FA notes the Everton midfielder ran 'some 20-25 yards towards the stand where the LFC supporters were housed' which 'prompted a reaction' from Jones and caused 'both players to act in an aggressive confrontation'.
Everton and Liverpool were both charged and fined for failing to control their players. "We formed the view that the confrontation was more of a serious nature than both EFC and LFC were admitting to," the FA said in its reports. Doucoure's actions were described as 'inflammatory' while Jones' response was 'aggressive and disproportionate.
The report also states that Everton players who were closest to the altercation 'appear to back him [Doucoure] up (aggressively) so it becomes 3 against 1.'
"It is this action that causes the confrontation to spiral with more and more players running into the melee, with involvement then from police officers and stewards."
Meanwhile, Slot admitted his charge, was banned for two matches and fined £70,000. Slot's response to the charges were seen as mitigating factors when determining his punishment and the suspension not being for three games, while the fine was reduced from m £100,000.
Hulshoff received the same punishment but his fine was just £7,000. Like Slot, his admission of guilty and apology were factored into the decision. Both Liverpool coaches were keen to clarify that their words were not meant as personal insults to Oliver but rather them airing their frustrations at the course of events over a dramatic night.
Liverpool has since 'apologised and expressed its regret' at the events that took place at Goodison and has reminded the players of their responsibilities.
In its defence, Liverpool also pointed to the fact there was 'no violent conduct' from the players who were provoked by Doucoure's actions. The club also add the 'mass confrontation was at the lower end of the scale of seriousness'.
Everton subsequently admitted to 'errors in behaviour of club personnel' and acknowledge Doucoure approached Liverpool's fans in an 'ill-advised manner' but claimed Jones' reaction was 'excessive'.
