Jurgen Klopp is facing another touchline ban, with the audio of his conversation with Paul Tierney described as a 'SMOKING GUN' which clears the referee... despite the Liverpool boss claiming Tierney made 'unacceptable' comments to him
- Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp is set to receive his second touchline ban of the season
- Reds manager accused referee Paul Tierney of 'unacceptable' remarks to him
- Referee chiefs are willing to share the audio which is believed to clear the official
Jurgen Klopp is facing his second touchline ban of the season with referees' chiefs willing to share the audio recording of his conversation with Paul Tierney — the ref he accused of being biased against Liverpool — with the FA.
Reds boss Klopp's behaviour was thrust into the spotlight after he celebrated Liverpool's late winner in Sunday's 4-3 win against Tottenham by charging towards fourth official John Brooks — pulling a hamstring in the process — before claiming that Tierney said something untoward when he was cautioned.
Refereeing body, the PGMOL, whose officials wear microphones, listened back to the audio and disputed Klopp's claims, saying that Tierney 'acted in a professional manner throughout'.
They are set to send that audio to the FA, who are investigating the incident, along with his over-zealous celebration and post-match comments. They were on Monday awaiting the referee's report before announcing any formal charges.
One insider described the audio as a 'smoking gun' which clears Tierney, and the conversation is likely to be made public at the end of any disciplinary case as the FA release written reasons with the outcome.
![Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (second left) is facing his second touchline ban of the season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/01/22/70451603-12034967-image-a-12_1682977599337.jpg)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (second left) is facing his second touchline ban of the season
![The Reds boss accused referee Paul Tierney (right) of being biased against his side and insisted he made 'unacceptable' comments towards him - something PGMOL has disputed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/01/22/70451605-12034967-image-a-13_1682977627288.jpg)
The Reds boss accused referee Paul Tierney (right) of being biased against his side and insisted he made 'unacceptable' comments towards him - something PGMOL has disputed
![Referee chiefs are willing to share the recording of their interaction with the FA, with audio labelled by one insider as a 'smoking gun' which clears Tierney and is likely to be made public](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/01/22/70451671-12034967-image-a-14_1682977677581.jpg)
Referee chiefs are willing to share the recording of their interaction with the FA, with audio labelled by one insider as a 'smoking gun' which clears Tierney and is likely to be made public
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/05/02/00/70455393-12034967-image-a-58_1682982526885.jpg)
Klopp, 55, has turned into a repeat offender, ignoring previous warnings about his conduct from the FA. The German has already served a one-game suspension this season for berating assistant referee Gary Beswick during Liverpool's 1-0 win over Manchester City in October, as well as being fined £30,000.
This is also not the first time he has been in trouble for accusing a referee of bias, having been fined £45,000 in February 2019 for saying Kevin Friend gave every 50-50 for West Ham against Liverpool after realising he wrongly let Sadio Mane's opener stand in a 1-1 draw.
Tierney arguably helped Liverpool on Sunday by not dismissing eventual match winner Diogo Jota for his high foot on Oliver Skipp but Klopp feels they have a history.
In December 2021, Tierney failed to send off Harry Kane during a 2-2 draw at Tottenham but did dismiss Andy Robertson.
Last month, Tierney was also the man in the middle when assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis was accused of elbowing Robertson in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Despite Klopp's gripes, referee chiefs will not shy away from assigning Tierney to future Liverpool games, with one source saying Premier League managers should not be allowed to influence the assignments list.
In a statement on Monday, charity Ref Support UK took aim at the League Managers Association for their silence, saying: 'The behaviour of some managers on the touchline is disgraceful and has been for decades, yet the LMA appear to say and do nothing to address the problem.
'They never publicly condemn such behaviour. It is therefore fair to ask, why do the LMA exist? Where are their public statements on unacceptable behaviour by their members? Their silence is shameless and gives the perception that they condone such behaviour.'
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