More Bad News for Javier Mascherano

By: Daryl | March 26th, 2008

Mascherano improper conduct
If you thought Javier Mascherano was unlucky to get a red card on Sunday, then you’re not going to like this. As well as the mandatory one match suspension for his sending off, Mascherano is now being charged with improper conduct by the FA.

The problem was apparently Mascherano’s mini-tantrum after Bennett showed him a second yellow for dissent. Not exactly Antonio Cassano, but the Liverpool midfielder had to be more or less dragged off the field by Rafa Benitez and his teammates.

Though I’m all in favour of players getting punished for dissent, my sympathies for Liverpool’s unlucky centre mid are growing by the day. Seems to me that Mascherano basically got the red card that Ashley Cole should have received last Wednesday, and that he’s being used as an example by the FA to teach everyone else a lesson.

The FA will probably extend Mascherano’s suspension, but the hearing isn’t until Friday April 4th, which means another week of speculation.

If the FA had just let the red card stand and let Mascherano serve his one match suspension, then this would have all blown over in a week or so, with the added benefit of Premiership players remembering to watch their tongues.

But that would have been too easy. So rather than let the wounds of last weekend heal, the FA are going to pick at the scab until it bleeds again.

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Category: English Premier League

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Jon

I have no love for Bennett, but Mascherano crossed the line with his behavior and deserved the yellow. At least his teammates and coaches were trying to pull him away and tell him he was acting like a prick, instead of joining in the tantrum and implementing the pack mentally of abuse toward refs.
Christian

Absolute nonsense. The ref is supposed to call the game on the field, and not be influenced by outside forces stemming from an unrelated incident a week a week prior. If this had happened 2 weeks ago he would have at LEAST received one more warning.
fitz

If the refs continue to card everyone who argues with them when it's none of their business, then we'll look back on this and say, "Well done."

Mascherano is neither a captain nor the person fouled on the play he was complaining about.

Keep the cards coming until the rugby code is enforced.
areallaticfromthesouth

The mug should have learned from the Ashley Cole incident not feed fuel to the fire - his own fire!!!

Bennett should have done what Clattenburg did to Gallas and Terry b4 the ko on Sunday - stern lecture and a great handshake each.
CSD

*cough*bunchofbullshit*cough*

I guess he figured, "hell, I already have a red, why not throw a fit?"