Klopp handed touchline ban for comments about referee Tierney

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been given a two-game ban and fined £75,000 for comments made about referee Paul Tierney following his team’s win over Tottenham last month.

The second match is suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season on the condition he does not reoffend, with the first effective immediately.

It means the German will watch Liverpool’s home clash with Aston Villa on Saturday from the stands.

After the 4-3 victory over Spurs on April 30, Klopp, 55, said: “We have our history with Mr Tierney. I don’t know what this man has with us.”

An FA statement read: “Jurgen Klopp admitted that his comments regarding the match referee during post-match media interviews constitute improper conduct as they imply bias, question the integrity of the referee, are personal, offensive, and bring the game into disrepute.”

Klopp admitted he regretted the comments shortly after the incident at Anfield.

He was furious with Spurs being awarded a free-kick which led to their late equaliser, before running to scream at the fourth official after Diogo Jota’s winner moments later.

The Reds boss was shown a yellow card for his reaction, with the PGMOL later concluding that Tierney had “acted in a professional manner” throughout the game.