Eight incidents involving Virgil van Dijk that show biased refereeing toward Liverpool star

Former Game Match Officials Limited Keith Hackett gives his verdict on Dutchman’s extreme fouls.

Five minutes into Liverpool’s encounter against Fulham, opposition supporters noticed a recurring theme. Does Virgil van Dijk deserve his spotless reputation of getting away from violent fouls?

This time, when the 6’4″ Dutchman had come out swinging and crashed into Rodrigo Muniz in a wincing body check, cries of “penalty” were waived aside.

Two appeals were promptly rejected by VAR checks, while officials also stated that Caoimhín Kelleher’s tackle on Andreas Pereira in the previous move was “a coming together and not a dangerous action.”

In the 71st minute, Virgil van Dijk got caught in another altercation when he flung a forearm towards the head of Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, right before Luis Diaz made it 3-2. However, Van Dijk escaped punishment.

Is the man who has only received one red card during his time at Anfield truly getting away with violent behaviour, major foul play, and other similar offences? If so, have officials been mesmerized by his reputation as one of the best centre-backs in the world? Or does Virgil van Dijk’s ability to avoid any suspension seem out of the ordinary?

The previous head of Professional Game Match Officials Limited, Keith Hackett, was invited by Telegraph Sport to re-referee the situations that opposition supporters and, in certain cases, managers have said Virgil van Dijk should have been disciplined for.

Virgil van Dijk vs Muniz

Hackett said: ”Virgil van Dijk once again unfairly impedes his opponent. He knows exactly what he is doing. He has no chance of getting the ball, turns his back and effectively blocks Rodrigo Muniz. Under the old law this may have been obstruction but, under the new law, unfairly impeding equals a direct free-kick – and because this was in the box, it is a penalty kick.”

”Van Dijk is a serial offender and gets away with another one. This came instantly after Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher had carelessly taken out Andreas Pereira. This was also a penalty – no wonder Fulham manager Marco Silva was going mad.”

Verdict: PENALTY and YELLOW CARD

Van Dijk vs Onana

Hackett said: “Van Dijk’s challenge used excessive force and endangered the safety of his opponent, using his outstretched right leg, with studs landing on the shin of his opponent. The challenge fulfilled the criteria for serious foul play.”

Verdict: RED CARD

Van Dijk vs Trusty

Hackett said: “Van Dijk, using his left hand, grabs his opponent around the throat and then holds on to him and pushes him to the ground. When I ran PGMOL, this would have been an automatic red-card offence but it is not punished as often now.”

Verdict: RED CARD

Van Dijk vs Kai Havertz

Hackett said: “Whilst attempting to kick an opponent is a red-card offence because Van Dijk’s actions lacked a degree of brutality and limited force, I do feel that the referee should have produced a yellow card for an act of unsporting behaviour.”

Verdict: YELLOW CARD

Van Dijk vs Gordon

Hackett said: “Gordon was brought down to the ground by a late and deliberate body check, Van Dijk deliberately changing direction to move in front of and use his shoulder against his opponent. This should have resulted in a penalty kick and a minimum yellow card.”

Verdict: PENALTY AND YELLOW CARD

Van Dijk vs Solanke

Hackett said: “You’ve got contact with the bottom of Van Dijk’s right foot into the calf of the player. Definite yellow.”

Verdict: YELLOW CARD

Van Dijk vs Richarlison

Hackett said: “If in this incident the referee had issued a red card, there would have been no intervention by VAR. The very minimum sanction that should have been issued was a yellow card for a reckless act. When reviewing this type of incident for a red card, you are looking for a clenched fist, a bent arm and a backward movement of the arm and elbow with excessive force.”

Verdict: YELLOW CARD

🤬 "You've got to get a grip with these incidents." – Ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett rages at Premier League officials over missed Virgil van Dijk elbow in Fulham-Liverpool clash.#lfc #virgilvandijk #premierleague pic.twitter.com/i7FVDblHXK

— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) April 6, 2025

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