Liverpool fans have a unanimous sentiment after Virgil van Dijk’s suspension was extended following his red card against Newcastle United.
Van Dijk’s suspension has been prolonged, and he has been fined £100,000 after admitting to improper conduct following his red card in Liverpool’s 2-1 victory against Newcastle.
The Reds’ captain was sent off in the 28th minute for a foul on Magpies’ striker Alexander Isak at the edge of the box but was seen arguing with referee John Brooks before leaving the field.
Originally, Van Dijk was suspended for Liverpool’s match against Aston Villa on September 3rd, but he will now also miss the game against Wolves on September 16th.
The FA said in a statement: “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, and the sanctions were subsequently imposed by an independent regulatory commission.”
Many Liverpool fans on X (Twitter) are furious, noting that Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes avoided punishment despite pushing a linesman during the Old Trafford club’s 7-0 loss against their Anfield rivals last season.
That game Fernandes shoved an official, who had intervened while the United star was engaged in an altercation with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Yet according to theMail Online, no action will be taken against Fernandes because the incident was spotted by referee Andy Madley and his assistants and was not included in their report.
In turn, Liverpool fans are furious by what they deem to be an inconsistency in officiating.
One wrote: “I’m sorry right but Van Dijk suspended for a further game is an absolute joke. All just for swearing about the red card, when you’ve got players like Fernandes on a consistent basis taking the p*** and pushing around officials.
“What’s gonna be done about that then?”
Another said, referencing Andy Robertson’s altercation with an official last term: “So Van Dijk is suspended and fined after saying the red card decision was a “f***ing joke” but Fernandes gets away with pushing the linesman and the referee who elbowed Robertson never faced any ban or punishment. Make it make sense.”
A third claimed: “Shout out to the captain of Man United and serial offender Bruno Fernandes for managing to physically push an official while ridiculing them and get literally no punishment.
“It’s good to see the officials standing up and making an example of first-time offender Van Dijk.”