Premier League in swift U-turn over Arne Slot 'extended ban' as Merseyside derby row takes surprise twist
The Premier League have reportedly done a ‘U-turn’ on Arne Slot’s touchline ban after he was sent off following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening.
Slot, 46, was incensed after the match and approached the officiating team before he and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were sent off by referee Michael Oliver.
On Thursday morning, the Premier League released a statement on their official website, which read: “Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was dismissed at the end of the Merseyside derby for using offensive, insulting, or abusive language. He is handed a two-match touchline ban as a result."
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However, in an unusual turn of events, the statement was later deleted, with The Athletic’s James Pearce reporting that the information released was, in fact, a “mistake” by the league.
“Yeah, it was a mistake by the Premier League,” he confirmed on X. "The FA have yet to review the referee's report and decide what action to take. They have three working days to decide whether to charge Slot. As thing stands, he's not banned from touchline for Sunday."
While the Mail's Lewis Steele explained: "Bit technical this but as it stands Arne Slot is not banned from the touchline for Wolves game.
"FA will review refs' report today and decide whether to charge him or not.
"Depends on whether they deem it a 'standard case' with a set sanction or 'non standard' which results in a hearing.
"Because he has already served a touchline ban this season there is a chance it will be the latter. If so, very unlikely it is resolved before Sunday.
"So to conclude he could be in the dugout against Wolves and then be charged/banned/fined at a later date."
Liverpool will face Wolves at Anfield in the Premier League this weekend.
"FA have until close of play on Monday to charge Slot," he added. "Liverpool will then have three days to reply (with evidence to support their claim if wanted), then FA have a further three days to reply.
"A hearing has to be within 10 days after that. So could feasibly be 2-3 weeks lag here."
It is still unclear exactly what Slot said to Oliver but professional lip reader Jeremy Freeman offered some insight into what may have been uttered by the Liverpool boss.
"That’s not a push? It’s a f**king disgrace... if you go and watch that again," Slot is said to have shouted at one assistant referee, before telling the other, "Well done".
"Sure, you give me a red for that?," he was thought to have added. "I will check it out for later... me and you yeah? Sure give me a red card... we'll talk after?"
Topics: Premier League, Liverpool, Everton, Arne Slot
Luke Davies