Photo: Ailura · CC BY-SA 3.0 at · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Netherlands · Nationality Dutch — Sport / football

Virgil van Dijk

Documented profile covering 7 controversies, including “2017: standoff with Southampton, separate training and formal transfer request” and “2022 World Cup: abandons OneLove armband amid FIFA yellow-card threat and responds to criticism”.

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Profile No. 1691 · Updated on 12 October 2026

7Documented controversies

8Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2025-02

2025: contact with Richarlison's face reviewed by VAR, without violent conduct sanction

Civil / administrative proceedings

During Liverpool–Tottenham, a movement by Van Dijk while in contact with Richarlison was alleged to be an elbow strike. VAR reviewed the incident and did not recommend a sending-off for violent conduct. Footage of another incident in which Van Dijk withdrew his extended hand from the Brazilian also circulated widely.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Sky SportsVan Dijk trolls Richarlison after escaping red card for elbowPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2025-02

2025: Everton derby, final confrontation and criticism of Doucouré and refereeing

Civil / administrative proceedings

After the last Premier League derby at Goodison Park, a mass altercation erupted after Abdoulaye Doucouré celebrated in front of Liverpool supporters. Van Dijk criticised Doucouré for provoking the supporters and considered that the referee had failed to control the end of the match adequately.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
BBC SportEverton 2-2 Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk says Abdoulaye Doucoure 'wanted to provoke our fans'BroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2025-10–2025-11

2025: tense public exchange with Wayne Rooney over leadership and body language

No legal proceedings

During a difficult period for Liverpool, Wayne Rooney criticised the body language and leadership of Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. Following a European victory, Van Dijk described some of the criticism as excessive and 'lazy' during a live exchange, to which Rooney responded.

State of the evidence: Reported by the press
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
BBC SportVirgil van Dijk and Wayne Rooney in awkward exchange after Liverpool winBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2024-10-11

2024: sent off for Netherlands against Hungary following two cautions in three minutes

Civil / administrative proceedings

Van Dijk received two yellow cards within minutes against Hungary, the first for protesting and the second for a foul, and was sent off. The dismissal ruled him out of the next match against Germany.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
ReutersKoeman rues Van Dijk red card ahead of Germany showdownNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2023-08–2023-09

2023: sent off at Newcastle, abusive remarks towards referee and increased sanction

Civil / administrative proceedings

Sent off against Newcastle for a foul on Alexander Isak, Van Dijk reacted angrily towards referee John Brooks and the fourth official. He admitted an FA charge of improper language and behaviour towards an official.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
BBC SportLiverpool's Virgil van Dijk banned for one more game and fined £100,000BroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2022-11

2022 World Cup: abandons OneLove armband amid FIFA yellow-card threat and responds to criticism

No legal proceedings

The Netherlands and several other European teams abandoned plans to wear the OneLove armband after FIFA threatened captains with a yellow card from kick-off. Van Dijk, the Dutch captain, subsequently responded to critics who accused them of lacking courage.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 1

[1]
BBC SportWorld Cup 2022: Virgil van Dijk hits back at 'no backbone' criticism over OneLove armbandBroadcastHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2017-07–2017-08

2017: standoff with Southampton, separate training and formal transfer request

No legal proceedings

Seeking to leave Southampton, Van Dijk was excluded from certain group training sessions and submitted a formal transfer request. He claimed the club intended to fine him two weeks' wages and announced that he would challenge the sanction.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
BBC SportVirgil van Dijk: Southampton defender training alone after saying he wants to leaveBroadcastHigh reliability
[2]
The GuardianVirgil van Dijk hands in Southampton transfer requestPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)

Mohamed Salah1 documented reference
- 2025: tense public exchange with Wayne Rooney over leadership and body language Source ↗
Wayne Rooney1 documented reference
- 2025: tense public exchange with Wayne Rooney over leadership and body language Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.