Masch faces further sanction March 24 2008
Javier Mascherano is set to be handed a lengthy ban after his reaction to being sent of during Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Already facing a one-match ban following his dismissal, the Argentine is likely to face severe sanction from the FA after he refused to accept Steve Bennett's decision and leave the pitch.
In scenes as ugly as those at White Hart Lane on Wednesday when Ashley Cole refused to turn around and face referee Mike Riley, it required the personal intervention of manager Rafa Benitez before Mascherano was finally placated. Even then, he had to accompanied by Liverpool's physio and substitute Peter Crouch as he continued to remonstrate with Bennett.
In a week in which the harassment of referees has been a hot topic, Mascherano's reaction could not have been worse timed. A charge of FA improper conduct is bound to be levelled at the midfielder with a lengthy ban seemingly inevitable.