Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has received a two-match touchline ban for questioning the decisions of referee Paul Tierney after Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur in April.
Klopp was in hot water with the authorities after criticising Tierney following Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Klopp was shown a yellow card for running down the touchline and celebrating in front of fourth official John Brooks after Diogo Jota scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
Klopp later claimed that Tierney’s comments were inappropriate and that he didn’t understand why the official had a problem with Liverpool.
The Football Association has fined Klopp £75,000 ($93,000, 86,000 euros) and given him a two-match touchline ban. Klopp will serve the first game of the ban immediately, which means he will not be on the touchline for Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday.
The second game of the ban will be suspended, depending on Klopp’s future conduct. The FA stated that Klopp’s comments about Tierney in post-match media interviews were improper conduct as they suggested bias, questioned the referee’s integrity, were offensive, personal and brought the game into disrepute. Klopp admitted to the charges.
Klopp spoke to journalists after the match and expressed his frustration with Tierney’s decision to award a foul against Mohamed Salah just before Tottenham Hotspur’s third goal. Klopp also mentioned that Liverpool had a history with Tierney and that he didn’t understand why the official had a problem with Liverpool.
Klopp admitted that his celebration was unnecessary but felt that Tierney’s comments to him when he was given a yellow card were inappropriate.