Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been indicted by the English Football Association following his attack on English referee Paul Tierney.
The 55-year-old faces a possibility of a hefty fine and touchline suspension for accusing Paul Tierney of having “something” against Liverpool last Sunday.
A spokesperson of the Football Association said:
“Liverpool FC’s Jurgen Klopp has been charged following their Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 30 April.
“It is alleged that the manager’s comments regarding the match official during post-match media interviews constitutes improper conduct in that they imply bias, and/or question the integrity of the referee, and/or are personal/offensive, and/or bring the game into disrepute.
“Jurgen Klopp has until Friday 5 May to provide a response.”
Jurgen Klopp’s blow-up against Paul Tierney came after Liverpool’s enthralling 4-3 victory over Tottenham last Sunday.
The German tactician went before the Sky Sports cameras to assert: “We have our history with Tierney, I really don’t know what he has against us.
“He has said there are no problems but that cannot be true.”
The former Borussia Dortmund manager was earlier cautioned for celebrating Diogo Jota’s winner at the face of the fourth official John Brooks.
And Jurgen Klopp was left angry by a touchline conversation with Tierney, later telling reporters:
“Paul Tierney came over to me, I didn’t expect for a second a red card, For me it’s a red card but because of him the fourth official it’s a yellow.”
The comments of Jurgen Klopp caused a fiercly- worded response from the PGMOL, who stated:
“PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jurgen Klopp after his side’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur.
“Match officials in the Premier League are recorded in all games via a communications system.
“Having fully reviewed the audio of referee Paul Tierney from today’s fixture, we can confirm he acted in a professional manner throughout, including when issuing the caution to the Liverpool manager.
“So, therefore, we strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were improper.”
The 2020 Champions League winner has since acknowledged his temper overwhelmed him in the discussion and established he awaits a punishment as a result of his actions.
He added: “I know Paul Tierney is not doing this on purpose, absolutely not, but we have this history. It hasn’t happened intentionally but it’s still there.
“I really regret the headlines I created. I have no clue what happens now. We haven’t heard anything yet.
“I probably have to expect a punishment. The red card I got against City was in the same spot, foul against the same player, Mo Salah.”
If the German tactician is punished, he is likely to be slammed with a fine and a ban from the technical area by the FA.
Jose Mourinho’s interval attack on Jonathan Moss in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss in 2015 against West Ham caused him a one-match stadium ban and £40,000 fine.
And Jurgen Klopp is likely to already be in a bad state after injuring his hamstring while celebrating Diogo Jota’s 94th minute winner for Liverpool.
The Liverpool boss wasn’t the only manager left fuming with Paul Tierney last Sunday, Spurs interim manager Ryan Mason also bashed the referee for not brandishing a red-card to Diogo Jota for catching Oliver Skipp in the head with his boots.
Ryan Mason said: “It’s one of the clearest red cards I’ve seen, it’s difficult to take. It’s an impossible one to miss.
“When you talk about endangering an opponent, to draw blood from a stud when Skipp’s head is five-and-a-half feet in the air baffles me.
“That type of decision is maybe the difference between winning the game or not.
“It’s tough to understand and I would like an explanation.
“I saw the incident in real time and you have a feel for those sort of moments. The VAR official has the benefit of a replay.
“I would like an explanation and a reason why it wasn’t a red card.
He added:
“I can understand referees and officials on the pitch missing it even though my feeling was an instant red card because when your foot is studs showing and you’re five-and-a-half feet off the ground and make contact with a player’s head and draw blood, and there is a gash, I think it ticks all the boxes.
“Probably more so an experienced referee in the VAR room, you want him to help the official on the pitch in that moment.
“Listen, it’s decided the game because that player on the pitch shouldn’t have been on there at the end.
“I’m pretty sure most football people’s opinions will probably feel the same.”
Ryan Mason was handed the caretaker job at Tottenham Hotspur after former interim manager Cristien Stellini was booted out due to bad results.
Jurgen Klopp criticised Ryan Mason’s tactics
Jurgen Klopp criticised the 31-year-old tactics on Sunday alongside telling him to worry about other things over his comments that Diogo Jota should have been sent off for a rash tackle on Skipp.
Klopp said: “I understand that. Ryan has to worry about other stuff.
“They have to play better football. They can’t just counter-attack.
“Diogo Jota has the foot high but he’s not going for the head. I heard Oliver Skipp could’ve had a red card. Did he speak about that as well?
“Wanting Diogo Jota off the pitch, worry about other stuff.”
Liverpool welcome Fulham to Anfield on Wednesday as they eye a late push for the top 4 which appears beyond their reach.
They have amassed 56 points from 33 games with 5 games left to play, 7 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United who have two games outstanding.
