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Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp given two-game ban for criticizing referee

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was suspended for two games for critical comments he made about a referee. Photo by Peter Powell/EPA-EFE
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was suspended for two games for critical comments he made about a referee. Photo by Peter Powell/EPA-EFE

May 18 (UPI) -- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was suspended for two games and fined about $93,000 for criticizing referee Paul Tierney, the English Football Association announced Thursday.

Klopp spoke out after the Reds beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on April 30 in Liverpool, England. He questioned Tierney's judgement about calls during the match and later suggested the referee had an agenda against Liverpool.

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Klopp will miss Liverpool's Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday in Liverpool. His is to miss another game at the end of the 2023-24 season to complete his suspension.

"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," the FA said in a news release.

"An independent Regulatory Commission imposed these sanctions following a subsequent hearing and its written reasons can be seen below."

Liverpool will face Aston Villa at 10 a.m. EDT Saturday at Anfield. The Reds (19-8-9) are in fifth place in the Premier League standings.

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