FA wanted to ban Virgil van Dijk for further game and hand out £150,000 fine
Liverpool believe Virgil van Dijk was the victim of inconsistent officiating when he was sent off against Newcastle United last month.
Van Dijk was dismissed for a foul on Alexander Isak in the first half of his side’s dramatic 2-1 victory at St James’ Park. The centre-back initially refused to leave the pitch and then remonstrated with referee John Brooks.
The Premier League official dismissed Van Dijk for denying Isak a goalscoring opportunity with the Liverpool captain seemingly mouthing "f***ing joke" back at Brooks. Van Dijk then left the pitch slowly and directed his anger at Craig Pawson, the fourth official.
That reaction has earned the Netherlands skipper an extended ban and a £100,000 fine, both of which he's accepted. Van Dijk is now set to miss the Reds' clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
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However, in the full written reasons of the Football Association commission, it is revealed that Van Dijk would have been hit with a second extra game and an additional £50,000 were it not for his clean disciplinary record. In their correspondence, Liverpool detailed that a lack of refereeing consistency led to Van Dijk’s frustration.
In his submissions to the commission, Van Dijk confirmed he had "immediately" apologised to both Brooks and fourth official Pawson in the St James’ Park tunnel at the end of the game.
Van Dijk said: "Mr Brooks and Mr Pawson accepted my apology and acknowledged that they understood the emotion of the game had been a significant factor."
On his behalf, Liverpool said: "The player wishes to convey that
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