Reds hand Mascherano fine
28 Mar 2008 - 16:01:23
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- Reds hand Mascherano fine
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed that midfielder Javier Mascherano has been fined two weeks' wages for his actions in Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.
The Argentina international has also admitted a Football Association charge of improper conduct following his controversial dismissal at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old continued to argue with referee Steve Bennett after he had been shown the red card, handed to him for persistent dissent.
Mascherano has asked for a personal hearing which is expected to take place in London next Friday.
Benitez told the Reds' official website: "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.
"We would like a personal hearing now. This was the first red card of our season and we do not have problems of this kind. We will now await the outcome of the hearing and the lawyers are now working on it."
The defensive midfielder is definitely ruled out of this weekend's Merseyside derby against Everton and is likely to face further time on the sidelines after his hearing.