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Mauricio Pochettino was handed a two game ban by the FA in 2019 with that incident referenced by Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot referenced a former Tottenham Hotspur case with the FA, involving Mauricio Pochettino, when putting forward his argument that a ban should not extend for more than two games following a red card after the final whistle of the Merseyside Derby last month.
Everton scored a 98th minute leveller to pinch a point off their Premier League rivals with tempers flaring at Goodison Park. Slot was sent off after confronting officials with Liverpool man Curtis Jones and Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure also seeing red.
The FA launched a probe into the matter and Slot was given a two-game domestic ban and a fine of £70,000. The Liverpool boss served the first game of his ban against Newcastle United last week and the second will come against Southampton this weekend.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot handed two-game by by FA
The FA has now published the details of that investigation with some head-turning details for football fans. The statement from the footballing body reads: "It was reported by the Referee that following the full-time whistle, he was approached by LFC’s Arne Slot (“AS”) who had entered the field of play to confront the Referee and the Match Officials team. Tensions were running high.
"It was alleged that AS’ manner was confrontational and aggressive. It was alleged that he initially used abusive words initially used abusive words whilst shaking the Referee’s hand including that the Referee had 'f------ give them everything' and that AS hoped that the Referee 'was proud of that performance'. Following on from this initial exchange, the probe found that Slot returned to continue his exchange with Oliver after this, with the findings reading: "The Referee thereafter confirms (having reviewed the video footage to clarify) that he was approached again by AS around one minute later.
"In this exchange, AS once again shook the Referee’s hand and said 'if we don’t win the league, I’ll f------ blame you'. It is then further alleged that AS turned to the Assistant Referee and shouted twice that it was “a f------ disgrace.” As a result of AS’ conduct, he was shown a red card by the Referee."
Mauricio Pochettino referenced in FA hearing
In the document, it was also outlined what Slot used to plead his case to the FA. One of those was the verdict handed to former Spurs manager Pochettino in 2019.
The Argentine was given a two match ban for confronting Mike Dean following a defeat to Burnley. The FA ruled that the coach’s ‘repetitive and aggressive’ actions at the time warranted a ‘sporting sanction’.
It appears as if Slot has used that case as to evidence why a two-game ban was sufficient. The former Spurs boss saw his ban reduced from three games to two thanks to his ‘previous exemplary record, admission and apology’, which Slot perhaps hoped may have reduced his punishment - although he has already served a touchline ban this season, for the EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton in December after being shown three yellow cards.
When giving Pochettino the ruling in 2019, the FA said: "While the words used are not the worst, the choice of phrase 'you know what you are' was used in an on-field outburst, following the conclusion of the game, that lasted for 40 seconds, during which Pochettino was, at times, very close to Mr Dean and face-to-face.
"Pochettino's position is then aggravated by the fact of the second charge, which involved him waiting for Mr Dean in the tunnel area to resume his unacceptable comments. The commission finds as a fact that [Pochettino] did this quite deliberately.
"Such behaviour, at the elite level of English football, tarnishes the image of the game. Whatever decisions, and indeed whatever mistakes, may be made during a match, match officials are entitled to be treated professionally and with respect. They are not 'fair game' for a frustrated manager, or player, to vent their frustrations at."
In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a key injury blow today ahead of facing AFC Bournemouth and Fulham.