Virgil van Dijk statements on FA fine for unsuitable conduct
Virgil van Dijk referred to his FA allegation for improper conduct as a “hard and expensive lesson” after being fined £100,000.
The FA charged the defender with improper conduct on Friday after Van Dijk referred to the decision to send him off by referee John Brooks as a “f***ing joke.”
Van Dijk had already missed the match against Aston Villa due to his red card suspension, but he has now received an additional one-match ban and a £100,000 sanction for the incident.
Van Dijk discussed the punishment with the press prior to the Netherlands’ crucial Euro 2024 qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
“It has been a difficult and costly lesson. I cannot say much more about it. I have accepted it and I am glad that there is an end to it,” he said.
“I was punished for it, but I don’t believe I was used as an example. Hopefully, the money will go to the proper individuals. A worthy cause is always superior.”
After learning of the suspension and punishment from the FA, Van Dijk issued a statement on social media stating that he “totally accepted” the decision.
“After today’s announcement, I’d like to make it plain that I fully accept the panel’s decision. It was the first red card of my Liverpool career, and in an intense and emotional moment, I let my frustrations get the best of me.
The defender is expected to make his return against LASK in the Europa League group stage on September 21, before the Reds host West Ham United at the London Stadium a few days later.
Virgil van Dijk statements on FA fine for unsuitable conduct