Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been charged for his conduct in his side’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the FA have confirmed. The Reds boss was involved in a number of incidents throughout the game, including celebrating Diogo Jota’s last-minute winner in front of fourth official John Brooks.
A statement by the FA reads: “Liverpool FC’s Jurgen Klopp has been charged following their Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 30 April. It is alleged that the manager’s comments regarding the match official during post-match media interview constitutes improper conduct in that they imply bias, and/or question the integrity of the referee, and/or are personal/offensive, and/or bring the game into disrepute. Jurgen Klopp has until Friday 5 May to provide a response.”
As per ESPN reporter Dale Johnson, there will be an Independent Regulatory Commission formed, meaning what was said between Klopp and Tierney will be revealed. Klopp was booked by referee Paul Tierney after his celebrations, though claimed he didn’t do a thing wrong after the game.
Jurgen Klopp said: “The whole situation shouldn’t have happened at all. It was out of emotion, out of anger in that moment. That’s why I celebrated the way I celebrated. I didn’t say anything wrong. I couldn’t get close to the fourth official and I didn’t want to get close to him. Paul Tierney came over and I didn’t expect a red card I expected a yellow. He said to me: ‘For me it’s a red card,’ but he gave me a yellow. After the game I tried to calm down and didn’t properly. I said (in TV interviews): ‘What he said to me was not OK’. I opened the box which I didn’t want to open. The rest was things I said about how I felt in that moment and Paul Tierney doing our games. I’m not a resentful person but these things which happen in the past happens, not intentionally but they are there. Obviously the refs are really angry about what I said. I did a lot of things that day but I didn’t lie.”
