Liverpool defender Van Dijk suspended for an extra game after referee outburst

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk will be absent from their upcoming Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers after being with an additional one-match ban.

This decision comes in the wake of Van Dijk’s red card against Newcastle United last month.

The Football Association issued a statement on Friday confirming the extended suspension and financial penalty.

The statement 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 August 27.

“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.”

The incident happened when Van Dijk received a red card from referee John Brooks after fouling Newcastle striker Alexander Isak on the edge of the penalty area. 

VAR supported the on-field decision. Despite being a man down, Liverpool eventually secured a memorable 2-1 Premier League victory.

However, the game was marred by a delayed restart as Van Dijk refused to leave the pitch and then confronted fourth official Craig Pawson.

The FA’s ruling centred on allegations that Van Dijk ‘acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official after being sent off in the 29th minute’.

As a result of this suspension, Van Dijk missed Liverpool’s rampant 3-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa.

The Dutchman will be sidelined for their upcoming match against Wolves on Saturday, September 16. 

The Liverpool captain will likely return to action when they take on LASK in the Europa League on September 21.