Mascherano admits charge - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Mascherano admits charge

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has admitted a Football Association charge of improper conduct and has requested a personal hearing.

The charge came after the FA studied the reaction of the Argentina midfielder to his dismissal during last Sunday's 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Manchester United and the case will be heard at an FA regulatory commission next Thursday.

An FA statement read: "Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has admitted a charge of improper conduct and requested a personal hearing."

It continued: "The charge relates to his reaction towards referee Steve Bennett after being sent off against Manchester United on Sunday, March 23.

"The case will be heard by a regulatory commission on Thursday, April 3.

"Mascherano is currently serving a one-match suspension for the sending-off."

Mascherano had to be dragged from the pitch by coaching staff and colleagues after being shown a red card in the 45th minute by Steve Bennett.

The referee had given Mascherano a second yellow following his protests against a caution issued to Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

If the charge of improper conduct is upheld, Mascherano looks set to be in line for an additional suspension to the one game he already has, probably for two matches. However, any domestic ban would exclude the Champions League quarter-final first and second legs against the Gunners on April 2 and 9.

Mascherano has also been fined a maximum two weeks' wages by the club.

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