Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk could get a two-match ban for arguing with the referee
As per Paul Joyce for The Times (subscription required), Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk could face an extended ban for his red card following the show of dissent to the referee.
Around the half-hour mark in the Newcastle United game, van Dijk swept through Alexander Isak to win the ball. Since he was the last defender in that phase, referee John Brooks had no option but to send the Dutchman off.
As soft as it was, the nature of the challenge deserved a red card. In response, the 32-year-old used foul language to argue with the referee and even had a small verbal altercation with the fourth official Craig Pawson on his way out.
The FA will investigate the incident and decide on the player’s length of ban in due course. The straight red card has already got him suspended for the game against Aston Villa this Sunday.
If the FA sees his comments and actions towards the referee as unprofessional, his ban could be extended by a game. What that means is that the defender could miss the away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 16.
The thing with modern football is that we have cameras everywhere. We all saw van Dijk go slightly over the top while questioning the referee’s decision.
While he was entitled to stay on and wait for the VAR review, saying choice words was not advisable, especially knowing that he is now the captain of the club.
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Unlike the Alexis Mac Allister red, which got overturned because the decision was wrong, Liverpool are in no position to challenge this call. Instead, we all are hoping that the ban stays at one game. It is highly unlikely though!
