London: Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk could be handed a longer suspension after being charged by the Football Association Tuesday for his reaction to being shown a red card against Newcastle in the Premier League over the weekend.
The Netherlands center-back was sent off for a foul on Alexander Isak in the first half of Liverpool’s 2-1 victory at St. James’ Park Sunday. Van Dijk initially refused to leave the field and then remonstrated with referee John Brooks.
The sending-off will earn him an automatic one-match ban, to be served against Aston Villa this weekend, but the suspension could be increased.
“It’s alleged that the defender acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official,” the FA said.
Van Dijk has until Friday to respond to the charge.