Arne Slot hit with touchline ban as Liverpool boss learns what games he'll miss

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline suspension and a £70,000 fine after admitting a charge of improper conduct relating to his behaviour in the match against Everton on February 12, the Football Association has announced.

The Anfield boss will be in the stands for tonight's game at Anfield against Newcastle and the home clash against Southampton on March 8 after being sent off for approaching referee Michael Oliver, along with his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, at full-time in the 2-2 draw with the Toffees.

He will, however, still be allowed on the touchline for the Reds' Champions League last-16 clash away to Paris Saint-Germain, which falls in between the two domestic games.

The decision comes after the Premier League released a statement as Oliver included the incident in his post-match report, saying: "The Liverpool manager allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee after the match had finished.

"It is alleged that Liverpool's assistant manager acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official, which led to his dismissal."

James Tarkowski’s equaliser deep into stoppage time at the end of the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park provoked chaotic scenes, with both Slot and Hulshoff sent off by Oliver along with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.

At a press conference two days later, Slot admitted his emotions had got the better of him and he had “made the wrong decision”.

“I should have acted differently after the game, but it’s an emotional sport and sometimes individuals make wrong decisions and that’s definitely what I did,” the Dutchman said.

There were fears for Liverpool fans that Slot could be hit with a bigger ban after already serving one in December, for receiving three bookings. But an independent regulatory commission has hit both Slot and Hulshoff with two-game touchline bans, with Hulshoff also ordered to pay a £7,000 fine. Liverpool assistant first-team coach John Heitinga will take on touchline duties in their absence.

Additionally, Everton have been fined £65,000 and Liverpool £50,000 for failing to ensure their players and/or staff did not behave in an improper way.