Jurgen Klopp argues with an assistant referee during a home match against Manchester City in October 2022. Photo: Reuters/Phil Noble. an unprecedented move in an unflattering scandal following Liverpool's dramatic 4-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
“Premier League match officials are being recorded in all games via the communications system,” PGMOL, a refereeing body, said in a statement, adding: “And by fully examining referee Paul Tierney’s audio… we can confirm that he acted professionally throughout the entire incident. , issuing a warning to the Liverpool manager, so we strongly reject any suggestion that Tierney's actions were wrong.”
Fine. But why stop there? It is undoubtedly the right time for PGMOL to release the full transcript of what was said between Jurgen Klopp and Tierney because obviously, and detrimental to the game, the Liverpool manager's version of what happened is very, very different.
Is there a reason why the transcript is not being published? No no. Is there a reason why the sound cannot be played? No, absolutely not. Is there now – given what happened at Anfield – also not the strongest argument for Tierney himself to explain his decisions about what happened during the match?
ICYMI: Klopp injured hamstring while celebrating Jota victory 🤣 pic.twitter.com/eiVHtcfwQ8
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 30, 2023
Under its new boss Howard Webb, PGMOL achieves positive success, but by releasing this statement, she did not go far enough. This is actually a challenge to Klopp, who at least misheard what Tierney said and found it offensive.
The body certainly cannot say “we can confirm”. Tierney didn't say anything inappropriate without saying what he actually said. . Otherwise, nothing will change.
It cannot be left there on the air. This needs to be properly investigated and made transparent – for the good of the game – and while Klopp awaits the inevitable FA indictment for his post-match comments, he should explain exactly what he thinks he heard.
Klopp has the perfect opportunity to clear things up – or escalate them – on Tuesday when he holds his press conference ahead of Liverpool's game against Fulham.
The moment has been reached. In a season where managers are pushing more and more boundaries against match officials, from Mikel Arteta mocking referee Simon Hooper's gestures to David Moyes accusing referees of “contempt” to Klopp rushing furiously towards the fourth official. – the line must be drawn.
This has gone too far. Too far. Teasing the officials, being furious, getting out of control at times seems to be part of the game. It became almost a theatrical performance, a passionate act to please the fans. Klopp's mitigation – aside from accusing Tierney of having plans against Liverpool – is that he is “human” and it was “very emotional”.
“I really don't know what this man has with us? 😠
Jurgen Klopp on referee Paul Tierney. pic.twitter.com/bbQ150RjMF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL), April 30, 2023
We got it. But does he, or Arteta, or Moyes, or Marco Silva, or any other manager who has lost on the touchline, think about the consequences? Klopp should think about what he claimed about Tierney and how dangerous it is for the well-being of the official, as well as for his reputation.
“What he said to me when he gave me the yellow card… is impossible. It's absolutely impossible. It's not good either,” Klopp said in an interview with Patrick Davison on Sky. Davison correctly tried to get Klopp to explain, but got the answer: “I already said what I wanted to say, so there are no more questions.”
Maybe it's time for the referees to wear microphones, like in rugby
No more questions? Klopp left nothing but questions. After all, it was he, Davison explained, who first brought up the subject. He made a statement about Tierney and if the referee behaved inappropriately, he should be sent off and never play again.
Klopp was not set to repeat the incident. He picked it up. “But then I stopped,” he said, as if it was justified for not fully explaining what he meant. It shouldn't work like this. A grenade has been thrown and he can't just walk away.
Interestingly, Klopp added: “There's no need to clear things up in England.” They are the referees, of course, and judging by how the game has gone this season, it's time for an interview with the referees after the match to clarify controversial decisions and situations.
This is true. not necessarily in a press conference, but in a more controlled environment where officials can explain.
Maybe it's also time for referees to put on microphones, like in rugby, so fans can hear the communication between players and referees, and also between the referees themselves, especially when it comes to Var reviews.
Otherwise, as in the case of Klopp and Tierney, we will get bogged down in an unflattering situation where the reputation of the arbitrator is tarnished, there is a flurry of “what about” and there are even demands that Liverpool face a points deduction as a punishment.
In an ideal world, things would be much more civilized. But the stakes in the Premier League are so high, and unfortunately the behavior there seeps down to the grassroots, from copying goal celebrations to disrespecting referees.
So let the richest league in the world lead by example. Let it be for transparency. We have come to a crucial test case. Both Klopp and Tierney should welcome the publication of their conversation and we have reached a tipping point from now on. It should be for the good of the game.
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