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Craig HillMascherano handed further ban and fine
April 4th 2008 03:00
Javier Mascherano in happier times
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been handed an additional two-match ban and fined £15,000 by the English FA for improper conduct after being sent off against Manchester United on March 23.
The Argentina international reacted badly when sent off by referee Steve Bennett for a second bookable offence after questioning the booking of Liverpool's star striker Fernando Torres. The 23 year-old seemed baffled by Torres' booking and approached the referee to remonstrate before he was shown his second yellow card and a subsequent red.
Despite the fact that Mascherano had already admitted to improper conduct when he appeared before the FA's disciplinary commission, it appears the highly-rated defensive midfielder has been made a scapegoat in the recent crack down of player dissent towards match officials.
Mascherano picked up an automatic one-match suspension for the red card but will now be slapped with a further two-match ban PLUS a £15,000 fine on top of the fine of two weeks' wages imposed by his club! Ouch!
Having already missed last week's Merseyside derby against Everton through suspension, Masch will now also be absent with the Premier League games against Arsenal this Saturday and Blackburn a week later. He will, however, be available to contest next week's mid-week Champions League fixture with Arsenal because suspensions are only related to domestic fixtures.
As harsh as the decision may be, there's no doubt that Mascherano will now think twice before speaking to the ref. Liverpool are now considering an appeal for the ruling.
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