September 08, (THEWILL) – Liverpool defender, Virgil van Dijk, has been handed an additional one-game ban and fined £100,000 for improper conduct towards referee, John Brooks, after his red card against Newcastle United last month.
THEWILL recalls that Van Dijk was initially banned for one match after being sent off versus Newcastle. However, the FA reviewed audio of Van Dijk verbally abusing Brooks, leading to further disciplinary action. The Dutchman admitted acting improperly and using insulting language.
The initial red card saw Van Dijk miss Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa. But the FA has now imposed an extra one-game suspension, which rules the Liverpool captain out of their upcoming match away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Van Dijk said the incident was uncharacteristic and that he rarely gets sent off. However, the FA decided further punishment was warranted beyond the standard ban for his dismissal.
The extra suspension gives Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, another defensive headache with Van Dijk’s partner, Ibrahima Konate, currently injured. Klopp started Joe Gomez and Joel Matip against Villa and may need to call on youngster, Jarell Quansah, to fill in.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
