While Slot admitted to breaching FA Rule E3, which mandates that participants conduct themselves in a manner that does not bring the game into disrepute, he disputed some of the phrasing attributed to him.
The Liverpool boss argued that instead of threatening to blame Oliver for Liverpool’s title chances, he actually said, “If we don’t win the league, I will have you to thank for that.” However, the FA dismissed this distinction, maintaining that Slot’s language was still improper and warranted punishment regardless of the exact wording.
The report added: "In his submissions AS, whilst admitting the Charges, disputed the language alleged to have been used and suggested there may have been confusion between what AS and SH [Sipke Hulshoff, Liverpool assistant head coach] said to the Referee. It was alleged that AS said whilst shaking the Referee's hand, 'if we don't win the league, I'll f****** blame you'. Instead, AS asserts that he in fact said, 'if we don't win the league, I will have you to thank for that'."
However, Slot did not deny calling the Assistant Referee a “f**** disgrace". But he insisted that his words were not intended as personal insults, but rather a general expression of frustration over the match officiating.
The manager later explained in a press conference: "I think what happened was that the extra time, that additional five minutes that ended up being eight, a lot happened, and the emotions got the better of me. If I look back at it I would love to do it differently. I am hoping to do it differently next time as well.”