Virgil van Dijk hopes money goes to 'right people' after £100,000 fine

Virgil van Dijk wants the money to go towards a good cause after he was slapped with an additional one-game ban and a £100,000 fine for his reaction to being sent off against Newcastle United. 

The Liverpool captain received his marching orders in the 28th minute of the game for a challenge on Alexander Isak. Van Dijk, after initially pleading his innocence, referred to referee John Brooks' decision as a 'fu**ing joke' as he angrily walked off the pitch.

While Van Dijk was set to miss just one game - the Aston Villa fixture at Anfield - after his red card at St. James' Park, the FA confirmed in a statement last week that his ban had been extended to include the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the 32-year-old also fined £100,000 for his x-rated rant.

The Dutch international released a statement in the wake of his extended ban, admitting that he let his frustrations get the better of him. He said: “I’d just like to make it clear I totally accept the panel’s decision. It was the first red card of my Liverpool career and I let my frustrations get the better of me in an intense and heated moment.

“I apologised immediately after the game to the match officials and take full responsibility. Time to move forward now. I will continue supporting the team in every way I can.”

Speaking again ahead of the Netherlands' clash against Ireland, Van Dijk told the media that he accepts his punishment and hopes the money goes towards a good cause. He said: “It has been a hard and expensive lesson. I can’t really say more about it. I have accepted it and I am happy that there is an end to it.

“I have been punished for it and I don’t think I have been set as an example. Hopefully the money goes to the right people. A good cause is always better.”

Liverpool will be without Van Dijk for the Premier League clash against Wolves on 16th September, with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip set to start at the heart of the defence in his absence. Ibrahima Konate, on the other hand, is on the comeback trail from his hamstring injury and could be back for the trip to the Molineux.