Javier Mascherano is set to be handed a lengthy ban after his demented 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.
While Benitez has continued to defend his player, Sir Alex Ferguson had no sympathy.

"Dissent is dissent," the Manchester United manager maintained. "I don't know why Mascherano came from central midfield to argue with the referee. With all the things that have happened this week with Ashley Cole, there has been a lot of attention on dissent and this was dissent."





