Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Fan Reactions, Premier League, Bruno Fernandes, Virgil Van Dijk
Liverpool fans are all saying the same thing after Virgil van Dijk saw his suspension extended following his red card against Newcastle United.
Van Dijk has been suspended for an extra game and fined £100,000 after admitting he acted in an improper manner after receiving a red card in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Newcastle.
The Reds skipper was sent off in the 28th minute for fouling Magpies striker Alexander Isak on the edge of the box but appeared to remonstrate with referee John Brooks before leaving the pitch.
Van Dijk was initially suspended for Liverpool’s game against Aston Villa on 3 September but will now also be unavailable to face Wolves on 16 September.
Advert
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 the Mail 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.”
