Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been handed a one-match ban and a £100,000 fine for his furious reaction to his Newcastle sending off.
Van Dijk was sent off at St James’ Park last month for a last-man foul on Magpies’ forward Alexander Isak.
The red card came with an automatic one-game suspension due to it not being considered violent conduct.
He missed Liverpool’s 3-0 win against success Aston Villa at Anfield ahead of the international break.
However, the 32-year-old has now had his suspension extended due to his reaction in the immediate aftermath of his dismissal, where he shouted angrily at referee John Brooks, whilst he was also pictured disagreeing with fourth official Craig Pawson.
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A statement from the Football Association confirmed the Dutchman’s punishment on Friday. It 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 27 August.
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“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 extended suspension now means Liverpool will be without their captain for next weekend’s showdown with Wolves at Molineux.
The decision comes only hours after Van Dijk himself spoke out on the incident at St James’ Park by admitting that his reaction was out of character.
