Exclusive 🚨 BREAKING NEWS: The FA have officially released what Arne Slot said to Michael Oliver after Everton v Liverpool game.

Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff Banned After Heated Exchange with Referee Michael Oliver

A recent FA report has revealed the details behind Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff’s suspensions following their post-match confrontation with Michael Oliver after last month’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The controversial 2-2 draw saw Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure sent off after a heated scuffle. However, the drama escalated after the final whistle when Liverpool’s manager and assistant coach allegedly approached Oliver aggressively, leading to two-match touchline bans for both.

What Did Slot and Hulshoff Say?

On Tuesday, the FA released a statement explaining their decision. According to the report:

• Slot first confronted Oliver, accusing him of favoring Everton, stating: “You gave them everything” and sarcastically adding, “I hope you’re proud of that performance.”
• In a second exchange, Slot reportedly shook Oliver’s hand and said, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll [expletive] blame you.”
• The FA also alleges Slot turned to the assistant referee and shouted twice that the officiating was a “[expletive] disgrace.”
• Hulshoff allegedly went further, calling Oliver’s performance “[two expletives]” and branding him a “[expletive] disgrace.”
• The report states that Hulshoff had to be physically restrained by Liverpool’s coaching staff after continuing to pursue the officials.

Slot Admits His Mistake

Despite the heated emotions, Slot has since expressed regret for his behavior. While the FA condemned the outburst, they acknowledged that Slot’s apology helped reduce a potential three-game ban to just two matches.

Had the full suspension been enforced, Slot would have missed the Carabao Cup final—a crucial fixture for Liverpool’s season.

Liverpool have accepted the punishments, and both coaches will complete their suspensions after this Saturday’s match against Southampton.

The Officiating Debate Continues

Oliver’s performance in the Merseyside derby has sparked wider debate about Premier League refereeing standards. Both Everton goals were controversial, particularly:

• A wrongly awarded free kick against Ibrahima Konaté that led to Beto’s opener.
• James Tarkowski’s late equalizer, which followed a missed foul on Konaté.

This isn’t Oliver’s only recent controversy. Just days ago, he was criticized for failing to send off Millwall’s Liam Roberts for a reckless challenge on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta—an error only corrected by VAR.

With managers and players held accountable for their actions, many believe it’s time for referees to face more scrutiny and improve officiating standards in English football.