Liverpool Boss Charged By FA Over Comments About Referee

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been charged by the Football Association for his comments about referee Paul Tierney after his side’s 4-3 win against Tottenham on Sunday.

The German, who said he regretted the headlines created by his comments, said Tierney appears to have something “against” his team.

The FA alleged Klopp’s comments constitute “improper conduct”.

Klopp has until Friday, 5 May to respond to the charge.

“It is alleged that the manager’s comments regarding the match official during post-match media interviews 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,” the FA said.

“The whole situation should not have happened at all,” said Klopp, speaking on Tuesday before his side’s game against Fulham on Wednesday.

“It was out of emotion and anger in that moment. That’s why I celebrated the way I did.

“We won a game 4-3 in a spectacular manner and the only headlines I created and I really regret that. It’s not necessary and not how it should be.”

Bad blood
Klopp was furious with Spurs being awarded a free-kick which led to their equaliser and ran to scream at the fourth official after the winner, hurting his leg in the process.

He was shown a yellow card by the referee after his celebration and, speaking after the game about when he was booked, Klopp claimed what Tierney said to him was “not OK“.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for Premier League referees, said Tierney “acted in a professional manner” throughout the game and when cautioning Klopp, adding that match officials in the Premier League are recorded in all games via a communications system.

Klopp says he regrets some of the things he said about the official in his post-match interviews but denies he lied about their conversation.

“I tried to calm down but it didn’t work out properly, go into all the interviews and then I said what I said,” he added.

“I know he [Tierney] is not doing it intentionally but we have a history, you cannot deny that.

“I’m not a resentful person, not at all, but these kind things that have happened in the past in decisive games. They didn’t happen intentionally but they are still there.

“The referees are really angry about what I said. I shouldn’t have said a couple of things but lying was not involved.”

Klopp was given a one-match ban after he was sent off against Manchester City in October for berating the referee’s assistant after the FA appealed against the original punishment.

He was also fined £30,000 and warned about his future conduct.