BREAKING NEWS: The FA have officially released what Arne Slot said to Michael Oliver after Everton v Liverpool game.

A recent report from the Football Association has provided details about the alleged remarks made by Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff to referee Michael Oliver following last month’s Merseyside derby.

The intense 2-2 draw at Goodison Park ended in controversy, with Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure both being sent off after a post-match altercation triggered by the Everton midfielder’s provocation of Liverpool fans. The tension continued as Slot and Hulshoff were dismissed for approaching Oliver in what was considered an aggressive manner at the final whistle.

Consequently, the Liverpool manager and his assistant were given two-match touchline bans. The first suspension was served during last week’s win over Newcastle, with the second scheduled for Saturday’s match against Southampton.

What Did Slot and Hulshoff Say to Oliver?

On Tuesday afternoon, the FA released a comprehensive statement explaining the disciplinary actions taken against the Liverpool coaches and their clubs for the events on February 12.

The report stated that Slot initially approached Oliver, accusing him of favoring Everton by claiming he had “given them everything” and sarcastically expressing hope that the referee was “proud of that performance.”

A minute later, in another exchange, Slot shook Oliver’s hand again, but added, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll [expletive] blame you.” The FA report further claims that Slot turned to the assistant referee and yelled twice that the officiating was a “[expletive] disgrace.”

Meanwhile, Hulshoff allegedly told Oliver that his performance was “[two expletives]” and referred to him as a “[expletive] disgrace.” The report also states that Slot’s assistant continued to confront the referee, needing to be restrained by Liverpool’s coaching staff.

Slot Admits His Mistake

Despite the disciplinary actions, Slot has since expressed remorse for his behavior that evening.

While no one supports abuse aimed at referees—whether from players, coaches, or fans—it’s understandable why Slot and Hulshoff reacted so strongly after a match filled with contentious decisions. Both of Everton’s goals were surrounded by controversy, particularly the free kick awarded to Beto’s opening goal against Ibrahima Konaté. Furthermore, James Tarkowski’s late equalizer came after a clear foul on Konaté that went unrecognized by the officials.

In his defense, Slot later acknowledged that he “should have handled the situation differently.” The FA mentioned that his apology played a role in reducing what could have been a three-match suspension to just two games. Had the full penalty been imposed, Slot would have been banned from the touchline for the Carabao Cup final.

Both Slot and Hulshoff have accepted their penalties and will soon move forward once their suspensions are completed.

The Officiating Debate Continues

Oliver’s performance remains a subject of debate. Just recently, he was criticized for not sending off Millwall’s Liam Roberts for a dangerous high challenge on Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta—an error only corrected after VAR intervention.

The controversy over officiating decisions in the Premier League continues to intensify, and while managers and players are held responsible for their actions, many will hope that referees also face scrutiny and learn from their mistakes, ultimately improving the quality of officiating in English football.