Premier League releases VAR audio as ref ask Van Dijk to ‘GO NOW’ with Liverpool star set for longer ban

PGMOL releases audio of the conversation between Van Dijk and the referee || Photo Credit: The sun

Premier League releases VAR audio as ref ask Van Dijk to ‘GO NOW’ with Liverpool star set for longer ban

Stephen Oladehinde 16:56 - 06.09.2023

The Premier League have released an audio where the referee asked Van Dijk to leave the field after receiving a red card for his challenge on a Newcastle player.

The Liverpool captain appears to be in line for an additional match ban after Virgil Van Dijk disobeyed referee John Brooks' orders to leave the field following his red card against Newcastle.

Liverpool defender Van Dijk made a bad tackle on Newcastle's Alexander Isak after he was put through on goal.

John Brooks then sent off the defender who got the leg of the attacker before having contact with the ball with the decision agreed upon by the VAR.

The conversation between Brooks and VAR Stuart Attwell as well as the referee's remarks to Van Dijk were presented for the first time.

Van Dijk tackles Newcastle forward Alexander Isak || Photo Credit: The Sun
Van Dijk tackles Newcastle forward Alexander Isak || Photo Credit: The Sun

John Brook’s conversation with VAR

Brook determined a red card offence right away, saying “he comes through the man to play the ball” and forcefully instructed the Liverpool players to "get away" until the VAR check was being conducted.

According to the Sun, Van Dijk was then instructed to "wait" for the verdict, he continued, “You will need to go immediately if I tell you you’ve got to go.”

Brooks continued as Liverpool persisted in attempting to sway his decision, “It’s clearly a foul. Don’t do anything silly after. You will be sent off unless it’s offside.”

Despite being instructed it was a “Free-kick. Go. Go. Go now. No offside," the Liverpool captain rebuked the ruling, and it took some convincing to get him to leave the field.

Meanwhile, during the first monthly episodes of "Match Officials Mic'd Up", Howard Webb, the head of the referees explained and clarified disputed Prem decisions and supported Brook's decision to send Van Dijk off the field

Van Dijk was charged by the FA as a result of those remarks and others he made to officials, and Michael Owen, a former Liverpool and England striker, corroborated this to Webb: “It’s a good identity of a foul by John Brook and it has to be a red card.”