FA extend Mascherano ban
03 Apr 2008 - 13:16:51
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been handed an additional two-match ban following his sending off in last month's defeat at Manchester United.
The Argentina international was dismissed in the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on March 23 for showing dissent to referee Steve Bennett several times in the opening 45 minutes.
However, the Football Association was prompted to take further action after he continued to argue with Bennett before being escorted off the field.
The 23-year-old had previously admitted an FA charge of improper conduct and asked for a personal hearing at which he was also fined £15,000.
Mascherano served the automatic one-match ban for picking up two yellow cards in Sunday's Merseyside derby, but he will now miss the subsequent Premier League meetings with Arsenal this weekend and Blackburn Rovers on April 13.
"At a disciplinary commission hearing today (Thursday), Liverpool's Javier Mascherano was fined £15,000 and given an additional two-match suspension," confirmed an FA statement.
"He has already served a one match ban for the sending-off. The additional suspension will come into force with immediate effect."
After the match, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez revealed a remorseful Mascherano has been fined two weeks' wages for his actions.
He said: "Javier is a fantastic professional and he knows he made a big mistake. He apologised to his team-mates and the supporters and he has now apologised to the referee.
"He accepts he lost control after the sending-off and has said sorry to the referee.
"I have also talked with him now and told him he would be fined by the club and he has accepted that and wants the money donated to charity."
