FA: Macherano suspension could increase!
Posted on March 26, 2008 Filed Under Headlines
English Football Association’s (FA) spokesman said that Javier Mascherano could face a lengthy ban after being sent off for dissent. Liverpool’s midfielder, Javier Mascherano, was sent off against Manchester United in the first half when United was one up.
Mascherano was already on yellow card and was sent off in just the closing minutes of second half when he protested to referee Steve Bennett over booking of his team mate, Fernando Torres.
Mascherano showed anger and tried to continue his protest. He was forcefully moved out of the field by his team mates and staff members. It was manager of Liverpool, Rafa Benitez, who calms Mascherano down.
The dismissal results in one match suspension for Mascherano. FA however feels he could be suspended for more matches because of his aggressive behaviour and his refusal to leave the field immediately.
FA press officer, Andrin Cooper said on this case: “When the player refuses to leave the field promptly, we do have mechanisms (for further punishment). We can act on anything the referee has not seen or is outside his jurisdiction.
He added: “The referee has done all he can under the laws (of the game) up to that point. Any subsequent action is outside the referee’s jurisdiction.
Mascherano said that he is still surprised and he can’t understand why he was sent off.
Mascherano told Liverpool Echo: “I do not know why I was sent off. I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear, I was not aggressive and I did not confront him. So when he showed me the second yellow card and sent me off I could not believe it.”
Mascherano could not have chosen a worse week to get in a referee’s bad books, and Bennett’s in particular, with the FA calling for a clampdown on dissent.
So should Javier Mascherano be punished more or is FA over reacting?
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