Criticism with consequences: Jürgen Klopp (55) has trouble with the English Football Association.
The FA have charged the Liverpool manager with criticizing the referees after last Sunday’s 4-3 home win over Tottenham Hotspur. Klopp has until Friday to present his view of things in a statement, according to a statement from the association. As a repeat offender, he faces a hefty fine or even a ban.
What happened?
After Liverpool’s winning goal by Diogo Jota (90+4) in the fourth minute of added time, the coach ran angrily towards the fourth official and cheered provocatively. Klopp apologized for this immediately after the game. “It was unnecessary to cheer in that direction,” said Coach, who actually injured himself in the cheering. “I got yellow for that and pulled my muscle, at least pulled it. That’s fair then.”
During the action, Klopp injured his thigh
Klopp’s anger was primarily directed at referee Paul Tierney, with whom you have “a history”, as the Sky Sports coach claimed: “I really don’t know what this man has against us. The way he looks at me – I don’t understand it.” What Tierney said to him when he was warned was “not okay”.
These statements would constitute “inappropriate conduct,” the FA said, “as they imply bias and/or question the integrity of the referee and/or are personal/offensive and/or bring the game into disrepute.”
Klopp had previously made his mistake at the Tuesday press conference Premier League game against Fulham FC. “That shouldn’t have happened,” he said. “It was out of emotion. It came from the anger in the moment, which is never a good motivator for things you do.”