Virgil Van Dijk has been handed an additional one-game ban and a fine of £100,000 for his distasteful words against match officials during Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle United.
Van Dijk’s punishment has been extended after he hurled abusive and insulting words at referee John Brooks and fourth official Craig Pawson as he exited the pitch after he was dismissed by the center referee.
Virgil Van was issued a straight red card for obstructing an obvious goal-scoring opportunity when he fouled Alexander Isak of Newcastle United.
The 32-year-old appeared to have termed the call by the referee a “fucking joke” and he delayed his exit from the pitch of play.
On his way down the tunnel at Saint James’ Park, Van Dijk additionally bemoaned the call made by referee John Brooks.
The defender was absent from Jurgen Klopp’s side’s 3-0 comfortable victory over Aston Villa, and he has now been suspended for the encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 16, 2023.
Days after his unpleasant behavior against the Magpies, the English FA subsequently charged him with improper conduct, and his absence was a huge blow for Liverpool.
FA statement on the punishment slammed on Virgil Van Dijk
A statement from the English FA on Friday, September 8, 2023, revealed that the defender acknowledged that he conducted himself improperly.
An excerpt from the statement reads: “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 32-year-old also told reporters in his home country that his reaction was truly out of place.
He said: “That was not typical for me.”
Van Dijk also expressed that he has started the season well, and he noted the amount of red cards he has been shown throughout his time at Anfield.
The defender said: “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.”
Meanwhile, Virgil Van Dijk was in action for the Netherlands on September 7, 2023, in a Euro qualification encounter against Greece.
The former Celtic man featured for the entire 90 minutes of action, and he picked a yellow card in stoppage time for a foul on Greece forward Taxiarchis Fountas.
Ronald Koeman’s side picked up their second win since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, bouncing back from two defeats against Croatia and Spain.
Van Dijk is the captain of the Netherlands senior men’s national team, having been handed the armband in November 2022.
The 32-year-old should feature for the O’ranje on Sunday, September 10, 2023, in a Euro qualification game against Ireland.
Netherland sit 2nd in Group B, with 6 points, having picked up 2 wins and lost 1 game in 3 matches.
He has made 59 appearances for the Dutch national team, scoring 6 goals and providing no assists across all competitions.
