Everton and Liverpool ‘failing to control their players’ in the Merseyside derby will result in punishment, both clubs have been told
With Everton and Liverpool players clashing after the final whistle resulted in four red cards, the final ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was plunged into chaos. Both clubs have now been told by former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett to expect fines from the Football Association.
The dramatic scenes followed James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute volley, which survived a thorough VAR check. Caught up in the emotion of Everton damaging their rivals’ title prospects for the last time at their home of 132 years, Abdoulaye Doucoure rushed to celebrate in front of the away fans.
Liverpool‘s Curtis Jones met him with force and the pair had to be separated in a melee amongst teammates. Referee Michael Oliver gave both a second yellow card, meaning they were sent off, and straight red cards followed for Reds head coach Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff for unconfirmed reasons
“Curtis Jones, clearly upset, decided to get involved and he finished up with a second yellow followed by red. With the game over the Liverpool manager approached Oliver and a conversation resulted in Slot getting a straight red card. Both teams will be charged with failing to control their players,” Hackett told Football Insider.
The PGMOL chief of five years added: “A terrific game [was] marred by a loss of discipline by several players caught up in the passion of a Merseyside derby.”
Failing to control players comes under the FA’s Rule E20, with clubs sanctioned if they ‘don’t ensure that their players conduct themselves in an orderly fashion’.
As an example during the current season, last October Chelsea and Nottingham Forest stars descended upon one another in their clash at Stamford Bridge. The FA followed with a statement of charges and dished out monetary fines to both once they accepted wrongdoing.
The amount these monetary fines can be is not set in stone therefore can range between the two clubs involved or for specific players. This is determined by an independent panel tasked by the FA to resolve the matter.
The ECHO understands Premier League laws dictate that a team who receive six cards within one match automatically qualify for a separate fine for misconduct. Coaches are included in this.
Liverpool saw yellow cards for Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones twice. Red cards were shown to Slot and Hulshoff. As it is the first time they have met the criteria for this punishment, they stand in line for a £25k sanction.
Lastly, during the Blues’ equaliser celebrations deep into injury time, a number of supporters spilled onto the pitch in celebration. The FA’s Rule E20 also covers for this possibility, stating that criminal investigations can be sought against offending members of the public whilst clubs themselves are liable to hefty fines.
