Virgil van Dijk's punishment after insulting a referee is revealed

Bad news for Liverpool. His captain and one of the best defenders in the football world, Virgil van Dijk, will be suspended more time than expected after he was sent off against Newcastle, two matches ago. He had already missed Liverpool's game against Aston Villa at Anfield that the home team ended up winning.

The FA had given van Dijk and temporary ban of one game before making a final decision in this sensitive case, taking into account that van Dijk insulted referee John Brookes and fourth official Craig Pawson after he was sent off at St. James Park. 10-men Liverpool could complete a historic comeback in that match after Darwin Nuñez's brace.

According to Daily Mail, the Dutch centre back was now fined £100.000 “for using abusive and insulting language towards John Brooks - after labelling the referee's decision to send him off against Newcastle a ‘f***ing joke’”. The Liverpool captain has now been suspended for another match and will miss their clash against Wolverhampton.

Virgil van Dijk responds to the FA after suspension

Virgil van Dijk released an official statement after FA's final decision. “I totally accept the panel's decision. It was my first red card of my Liverpool career and I let my frustrations get the better of me (…) I apologised immediately after the game to the match officials and take full responsibility”, he said.