Paul Tierney taken out firing line in the Premier League amid Jurgen Klopp feud

02 May 2023 , 10:33

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Paul Tierney has not been given a game to referee this weekend (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Paul Tierney will not take charge of a Premier League game this weekend following his latest confrontation with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

The FA is investigating Klopp’s behaviour during the drama-filled conclusion of Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday. Klopp sprinted down the touchline to celebrate Diogo Jota’s last-gasp winner in the face of fourth official John Brooks and then made allegations about Tierney in his post-match interview.

Klopp insinuated that Tierney had a grudge against him and his team and also suggested he had said something inappropriate while issuing him with a yellow card. Refereeing body the PGMOL released a statement to “strongly refute” Klopp’s allegations and the Liverpool boss is expected to be slapped with a lengthy touchline ban.

Tierney has refereed matches during the past two Premier League game weeks, having overseen Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Leicester on April 25 before the feisty Anfield clash. But he will not be on the pitch this coming weekend, with the PGMOL opting to take him out of the firing line.

He will be the fourth official for Manchester United ’s trip to West Ham on Sunday before heading to Stockley Park to become the VAR for Nottingham Forest ’s hugely important basement battle with Southampton on Monday. Tierney is part of a group of 19 top referees, meaning nine miss out on appointments every weekend.

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Liverpool have Stuart Attwell in charge of their home match against Fulham on Wednesday night before Anthony Taylor oversees their game against Brentford at Anfield on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp clashed with Paul Tierney on Sunday (PA)

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Tierney has already been exonerated by his employers, the PGMOL, for his part in the Klopp confrontation. A statement read: “PGMOL is aware of the comments made by Jürgen Klopp after his side’s fixture with Tottenham Hotspur.

"Match officials in the Premier League are recorded in all games via a communications system and having fully reviewed the audio of referee Paul Tierney from today’s fixture, we can confirm he acted in a professional manner throughout including when issuing the caution to the Liverpool manager so, therefore, we strongly refute any suggestion that Tierney’s actions were improper.”

Jurgen Klopp was angry with the officiating during the win over Tottenham (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The PGMOL has shared that audio with the FA, who are now considering how best to punish Klopp, who has already received a touchline ban this season. The authorities are keen to send a message that abusing officials is not acceptable, while Klopp’s suggestion that Tierney is biassed has touched a nerve.

“We have our story, our history with Mr Tierney,” Klopp told Sky Sports on Sunday. "I really don’t know what this man has with us. I really don’t know.

"He will always say there’s nothing – and it’s not true, it cannot be. I have to say. It cannot be, I don’t understand it. I’m really not sure if it’s me because he looks at me… I don’t understand it.”

Felix Keith