The FA have confirmed that Liverpool, Everton, Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff have all been charged in the wake of Wednesday's 2-2 Merseyside derby draw at Goodison Park.
The last-ever Merseyside derby to be played at the Toffees' current home descended into chaos at full time, after James Tarkowski dramatically rescued a point for David Moyes's side in the eighth minute of additional time.
Liverpool were incensed that Tarkowski's winner was allowed to stand, having felt that there was a foul in the build-up to the centre-back's volley, and tempers boiled over for the Reds at the full-time whistle.
A wide-scale brawl was triggered by Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrating in front of the away end, which sparked a furious response from Curtis Jones, who engaged in a scuffle with the Frenchman before teammates and security staff pulled them apart.
Jones and Doucoure were both given post-match red cards by Michael Oliver, who also dismissed Slot for something that the Liverpool boss said as he shook the referee's hand, as well as the Dutchman's assistant Hulshoff.
Slot was inevitably questioned on the incident in Friday's press conference, having been banned from conducting his media duties at Goodison Park after his red card, and he admitted that his emotions got the better of him in that instance.
FA hand out four charges after Merseyside derby bedlam
© Imago
Now, the FA have unsurprisingly dished out charges to Slot, Hulshoff and both clubs, who have been accused of failing to ensure that their players behaved in a proper manner after the four-goal stalemate.
"Everton, Liverpool, Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff have been charged following the Premier League fixture between the clubs on Wednesday, 12 February," an FA statement read. "It is alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way following the final whistle.
"The Liverpool manager allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee after the match had finished.
"It is alleged that Liverpool's assistant manager acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official, which led to his dismissal. It is further alleged that he acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official after being sent off.
"Everton, Liverpool, Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff have until next Wednesday, 19 February, to provide their respective responses."
Slot, Liverpool charged by FA: What happens now?
© Imago
As Liverpool and Everton have until next Wednesday to either admit or deny the charges against them, any punishment for Slot - a potential suspension or fine - will not kick in until the verdict has been reached.
The Reds boss is therefore set to be on the touchline for Sunday's Premier League visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he could also take charge of the trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday, February 19.
However, should Slot be slapped with a ban soon after, the Reds boss could be absent from the touchline when Liverpool travel to face Manchester City on February 23, which comes three days before an equally daunting test at home to Newcastle United.
On Thursday, a statement appeared to have been erroneously released on the Premier League website claiming that Slot would be banned for two matches for using abusive and/or insulting language; the message was quickly deleted.
Nevertheless, there is a chance that the Liverpool boss could escape with a fine and avoid a suspension, as his predecessor Jurgen Klopp did after he was sent off against Manchester City in October 2022.
Jones, on the other hand, will serve a one-match ban against Wolves this weekend, as will Everton's Doucoure when the Toffees travel to Crystal Palace tomorrow evening.
Ben Knapton
