VIRGIL VAN DIJK has been slapped with a £100,000 fine while seeing his Premier League ban extended for his outburst against match officials.
The defender was sent off in the 29th minute of Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle.
Van Dijk was judged to deny Toon ace Alexander Isak a goalscoring opportunity when he fouled him on the edge of the area, seeing the 32-year-old handed a straight red card.
However, the Reds captain was left fuming with the decision and took it up directly with referee John Brooks and fourth official Craig Pawson – with footage from the exchange revealed to the public.
The X-rated rant saw Van Dijk label the decision a “f***ing joke” before continuing his complaints while heading down the tunnel at St James’ Park.
Van Dijk missed Liverpool’s final Premier League outing – a 3-0 win over Aston Villa – before the International break.
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But he will now also miss their first game back against Wolves on September 16, with Liverpool sitting third in the league after taking ten points from a possible 12.
An FA statement confirmed Van Dijk had been charged with improper conduct, landing him an additional game ban and £100,000 fine.
It read: “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.
“The sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent Regulatory Commission.
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“Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.”
Following the decision, Van Dijk released a statement on social media.
He said: “I’d just like to make clear I totally accept the panel’s decision.
“It was the first red card of my Liverpool career and I let my frustrations get the better of me in an intense and heated moment.
“I apologised immediately after the game to the match officials and take full responsibility.”
He continued: “Time to move forward now.
“I will continue supporting the team in every way I can.”
Van Dijk also admitted he deserved his red card when speaking to reporters over the International break, but insisted the move was out of character.
He said: “That was not typical for me.
“But it was the red card anyway. I’ve never got one before at Liverpool, and I think only about four times in my entire career. But apart from that I still started the season well.”
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Van Dijk played the full duration of the Netherlands EURO 2024 qualifier against Greece, a clash they won 3-0.
He will be expected to feature once again when Oranje take on Ireland on September 10.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
