Masch faces further sanctions March 26 2008
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano could receive further punishment for failing to leave the pitch after his dismissal at Old Trafford.
The Argentine international received his marching orders from referee Steve Bennett after notching up a second yellow card in the Reds' 3-0 defeat to Manchester United and continued to protest with the official.
And while the 23-year-old maintains his innocence, it has been revealed Bennett included Mascherano's failure to leave the pitch in his official match report.
The Daily Mail claims 'Bennett has told the FA in his official match report that the South American refused to leave the pitch after being sent off.
'He is understood to have said that Mascherano only eventually made his way to the tunnel because he was led off by his team-mates, a clear breach of the regulations demanding that players leave the field immediately.'
This could prove to be a damaging blow to the Merseysiders as they attempt to secure fourth spot in the league and prepare for a daunting triple tie against Arsenal.
Liverpool plan to appeal the FA's decision if any charges are made as the club feels 'the reaction' to his red card 'has been excessive.'
The newspaper added that the Anfield outfit 'will point out that he left the field within 30 seconds of being shown the red card, even though it took the intervention at pitchside of Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, before he headed for the dressing-room.'