Virgil van Dijk was sent off in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Newcastle United (Picture: Getty)
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been suspended for one extra match and has been fined £100,000, the Football Association has confirmed.
Van Dijk was shown a straight red card after just 28 minutes for a foul on Newcastle star Alexander Isak during his side’s 2-1 win on August 27.
The Dutchman was furious with the decision and reacted angrily to referee John Brooks as he left the pitch.
He was initially slapped with a one-game ban, which ruled him out of Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday.
But the FA wishes to clamp down on abuse towards match officials and after Van Dijk admitted that he used insulting language, he will now be banned for a second game and will miss Liverpool’s clash against Wolves on September 16.
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.’
Van Dijk said: ‘Following the announcement today, I’d just like to make it clear I totally accept the panel’s decision. It was the first red card of my Liverpool career and I let my frustrations get the better of me in an intense and heated moment.
‘I apologised immediately after the game to the match officials and take full responsibility.
‘Time to move forward now. I will continue supporting the team in every way I can.’
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp handed Van Dijk the captain’s armband this season after selling Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq.
More: Trending
Van Dijk’s behaviour towards Brooks in the win over Newcastle was slammed by former Premier League referee Mike Dean, who felt the defender crossed a line.
Klopp, meanwhile, felt the red card was harsh, saying afterwards: ‘I don’t think it is a red card. It’s pretty much no contact, very little, and it’s on the way to the ball, but what can I say?
‘The decision is like this, I cannot change it and I don’t want it. It’s just, would I give this in a training game? Definitely not. There are reasons why I am not a ref and they are.’
MORE : Liverpool failed with £100m bid to sign Newcastle United star
MORE : Jamie Carragher predicts when Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool