The FA publish details of Slot’s confrontation with match officials after the dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline ban and fined £70,000 ($88,500) following a heated exchange with referee Michael Oliver after last month’s Merseyside derby against Everton. The Football Association (FA) published its findings on Tuesday, revealing the details of Slot’s confrontation with match officials after the dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.

According to the FA's report, Slot allegedly told Oliver, "If we don’t win the league, I’ll f---ing blame you," in frustration over officiating decisions. The Dutchman was shown a red card following an altercation that erupted after Everton’s late equalizer in the 98th minute, which sparked a mass confrontation between both teams. Everton's Abdoulaye Doucouré and Liverpool's Curtis Jones were also sent off in the aftermath of the full-time whistle.

The FA's report further claims that Slot accused Oliver of favoring Everton, stating, "the referee had f---ing given them everything" and sarcastically asking if he was "proud of that performance." Additionally, he allegedly directed his frustration at the assistant referee, calling the officiating a "f---ing disgrace."

While Slot admitted to acting improperly and acknowledged that his emotions got the better of him, he disputed some of the wording attributed to him in the report. He claimed that he had actually said, "If we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that." Despite the disagreement, Slot accepted the FA’s charges and issued an apology, leading to his initial three-game ban being reduced to two.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Slot reflected on his behavior: "At that moment, I was quite emotional with everything that had happened in the last seven or eight minutes and maybe during the whole game. Instead of staying calm and waiting to speak with Michael later, I chose to go onto the pitch. Now that my emotions are under control, I recognize that I should set a better example."

Slot's assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, was also disciplined for his conduct during the incident. He received a two-match suspension and a £7,000 fine for allegedly confronting Oliver in an "extremely aggressive manner" and using expletive-laden language. The FA commission rejected Liverpool’s request to stagger the suspensions to ensure at least one of their coaches remained on the touchline.

The fallout from the derby also saw both clubs fined for their roles in the post-match melee. Everton received a £65,000 fine, while Liverpool was fined £50,000. The FA noted that the confrontation, which began after Doucouré's provocation of Liverpool fans and Jones' aggressive reaction, was more serious than either club had admitted.

Despite the controversy, Slot has made it clear that he wants to move on. "What I have said is already in the report. Michael Oliver has been in the news a lot recently, and I don’t think it helps if I add anything further now that I have my emotions in check."

With the ruling in place, Slot will miss Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures, including a crucial Premier League encounter. The Reds will have to navigate the touchline absence of their manager as they continue their push for domestic and European success.

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