Virgil Van Dijk gets extra punishment from English FA

The captain of Liverpool Football Club, Virgil Van Dijk has been issued an extra match day suspension by the English Football Association.

The body announced the extra suspension on its official X account on Friday, September 8, 2023, following his utterances with the referee in the game against Newcastle United.

Virgil Van Dijk was shown a straight red card for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity when fouling Newcastle’s Alexander Isak but was seen visibly remonstrating with referee John Brookes and fourth official Craig Pawson. He was seen to have called the decision by the referee, a ‘f***ing joke’ and took his time to leave the field of play.

The FA confirmed in its statement that the defender will get an extra game ban and also pay a fine of £100,000.

"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. Full written reasons for this case will be published in due course.’'

Van Dijk told Dutch reporters during this week’s international break in a win over Greece on Thursday, that he said this was not like him. Liverpool, who were 1-0 behind when the Dutchman was given his marching orders, came back to win thanks to two late goals from substitute Darwin Nunez.