Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will NOT face ANY FA inquiry for ‘borderline xenophobic’ comments
Released: 5:52 PM EDT, Oct. 21, 2022 | Updated: 7:57 p.m. EDT, Oct. 21, 2022
Jurgen Klopp will not face an investigation by the Football Association over comments that some in Manchester City had privately branded as “borderline xenophobic”, the PA news agency understands.
He is being fined by the FA after being shown a red card for protesting to assistant referee Gary Beswick, but he won’t know the severity of it until next week.
The Liverpool manager took the spotlight after making comments during a press conference ahead of last Sunday’s 1-0 win over the reigning Premier League champions.
Jurgen Klopp will not face an FA investigation because of the comments he made ahead of the Man City clash
Klopp has categorically denied all allegations of xenophobia, with the FA appearing to agree his views were limited to assessing the financial differences between top clubs rather than discrimination.
Asked about City’s purchasing power, Klopp said: “There are three clubs (Gulf-owned City, Newcastle and Paris St Germain) in world football that can do whatever they want financially. It’s legal and all, fine, but they can do whatever they want.’
It was understood City had felt Klopp’s words ignite tensions ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Anfield, where City boss Pep Guardiola claimed to have thrown coins at him while visiting fans chanted offensive songs about the Hillsborough disasters and Heysel sang.
It is understood Merseyside Police also received a complaint on Sunday night over alleged criminal marring of the City team manager.
Manchester City privately branded his comments about their owners as “borderline xenophobic”.
Mohamed Salah scored the only goal as Liverpool narrowly beat Manchester City last weekend
Klopp resisted any suggestion that his remarks might be interpreted as xenophobic.
He said: “I don’t feel, in this particular case I don’t feel it at all. I know myself
“And you can’t hit anything miles from my personality.
“If I – I can’t remember the word – were like that, I would hate it. I would hate myself for being like that.
The Liverpool head coach flatly denied any xenophobia allegations, saying: ‘I know myself’
“I often said things that were easy to misunderstand. I know that.
“It wasn’t on purpose, just sometimes you say things and you’re like, ‘Oh my God! It can be interpreted like that!’ but this is not one of those moments. Absolutely.’
As for Klopp’s punishment for being sent off, he can be fined and given a one-game touchline ban, or he could face a heavier punishment.
