Virgil van Dijk Learns FA Ban Outcome for Incident with Anthony Gordon in Liverpool vs Newcastle
Newcastle fans expressed frustration after the VAR decided that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk did not foul Anthony Gordon during their Premier League clash.
The Football Association confirmed that Van Dijk will not face any retrospective action for his off-the-ball collision with Gordon during Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Newcastle United. The incident occurred in the 38th minute when Gordon fell following a physical encounter with the Liverpool defender.
The situation arose after Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved Joe Gomez from embarrassment. Gomez’s misplaced back pass allowed Gordon a one-on-one opportunity, which he failed to convert. As Kelleher secured the ball after his initial save, Van Dijk’s shoulder appeared to make contact with Gordon as they crossed paths.
On-field referee Andy Madley chose not to penalize the incident, and VAR reviewed the collision for a potential red card. However, the officials deemed it a minor exchange rather than a clear and obvious error, allowing play to continue without further sanctions.
Given the VAR officials checked the footage and cleared it, the FA cannot enforce any retrospective punishment. Ahead of the new season, the Premier League outlined that only incidents “not captured by the match officials or VAR can be referred to the FA’s retrospective disciplinary process”.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said he was “surprised” by the decision to wave away protests but stated: “I think VAR looked at [it] and concluded nothing happened. So we have to accept it.”
Appearing on the Stick to Football watchalong live stream on Wednesday night, Ian Wright suggested Van Dijk was sinister in his actions. “He knows exactly what he’s doing. That’s a pen,” he said, while former Manchester United captain Roy Keane concurred: “That’s a penalty.”
Last season, Van Dijk was shown a red card in the same fixture for denying Alexander Isak a clear goalscoring opportunity and was later fined £100,000 for his remarks toward match officials.
This season, he has been disciplined only once, receiving a single yellow card across 14 Premier League appearances.
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