FA told Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp should face six game ban ‘minimum’

Neil Squires: At 55, fines or bans aren’t going to mend his ways so I’d like to see the fourth official replaced for Liverpool matches with a replica Klopp. If he feels the need to rant at someone in the technical area the fact that it is himself would be sure to make him think twice before going off on one. I mean how ridiculous would that look?

Matt Dunn: Deducting points from Liverpool would be unprecedented and wrong, however poor Klopp’s behaviour to officials has been. But that does not mean it should not be put in place for future transgressions. Abuse of officials at all levels of the game continues to be an abhorrent part of the sport and touchline bans are clearly not deterrent enough if the FA are to get serious with the issue. A staggered form of punishment with a fine and a one-match touchline ban for the first offence each season, perhaps three for a second transgression and then the deduction of a point AND a five-match ban for a third. Physicality of any nature should automatically be a point deduction. But as the rule stands, Klopp’s second offence can expect to get a couple of games in the stands on top of one for his comments. The embarrassing hamstring pull was just an added bonus.

Gideon Brooks: Circumstances are always a little different but Jurgen Klopp’s behaviour was comparable with the recent touchline combustion from Marco Silva and the punishment will probably be the same. The Fulham boss unloaded all barrels on referee Chris Kavanagh during the FA Cup quarter-final between Fulham and Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. He was hit with a £40,000 fine and two matches in the stands. Klopp has previous so it might not be unreasonable to suggest a three-match touchline ban for a serial offender. But with post-match comments about Paul Tierney similar to Silva in that he questioned Kavanagh’s integrity alleging a bias against his club, £40k is about all they can level. Talk of a points deduction for the club opens up a whole legal minefield given the sums of money involved and is clearly not going to happen.

Andrew McLean: Jurgen Klopp’s celebrations after Liverpool’s fourth goal were as bizarre as they were wrong and he should be punished accordingly. A six-match ban and a significant fine should be the very minimum that he can expect in order to send a real message that those kinds of actions are unacceptable. I am less in favour of sporting punishments for clubs as a whole, come down hard on individuals and others will not be so keen to step out of line.

Jack McEachen: I personally believe that any fine or even a short touchline ban would not send the necessary message, Klopp was given one in November and it clearly did not prevent him from hounding the officials again. Banning him from the touchline for their five remaining games would send a strong message and hopefully deter him and his fellow head coaches from badgering the officials.

Charlie Gordon: There was so much wrong with Jurgen Klopp’s conduct at the weekend. Even if Paul Tierney did say something unprofessional, which the PGMOL deny, the referee could be excused due to the way Klopp celebrated in the face of John Brooks, which was downright disrespectful. The Liverpool manager’s ‘heat of the moment’ excuse is a poor one, and while a points deduction would certainly get the message across, I don’t think it’s appropriate. Klopp still needs to feel it, however, and after serving a one-game ban for screaming in a linesman’s face earlier this season, the stakes evidently need to be raised to at least three matches.

Jonathan Spencer: Absolutely no way should Liverpool be docked points for Jurgen Klopp’s actions. It’s not like they’re facing cheating allegations or something just as serious. Klopp just got caught up in the heat of the moment, but it’s not the first time. What I would say is Mikel Arteta has been heavily condemned for his touchline antics but he hasn’t gone anywhere near as far over the line as his Liverpool counterpart. To stop this becoming a common recurrence, the FA should simply give him a touchline ban and put him in the stands for a couple of games. No punishment, and he’ll never learn.

Charlie Malam: Jurgen Klopp has pointed out that he didn’t actually do anything to fourth official John Brooks. Regardless, it was strange and unnecessary. Then of course there were the inflammatory comments about Paul Tierney which he later backed down on. I think the FA will make an example of him and issue a three-match ban. Given his discretions earlier this season too, that’s probably about right. Clubs should only face punishment if there are repeated serious offences, in my opinion. But I think the most important thing that comes from this is that heavy sanctions are applied, no matter who the club or the manager, for any future incidents too. Only then are we really going to see the treatment of officials sorted out. To be truthful it would probably help if the PGMOL could improve the substandard pool of current officials too.