A statement released by the FA read: "Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has today been charged with improper conduct.”The charge relates to his reaction towards referee Steve Bennett after being sent off against Manchester United on Sunday." would like to applaud the FA for stepping up and taking a stance in this matter. This action is needed to move the game away from the rise in blatant disregard of referee’s authority by players; and in so doing showing lack of respect for the game. Referees are the caretakers of the game, without their presence or authority, there will be chaos.  I further believe that Liverpool and all the other club need to make it clear to their players, that badgering the officials is unacceptable. Alex Ferguson addressed the issue prior to the Man Utd game against Liverpool; he was very clear that he will not accept such behavior from his players. All the other managers need to follow his lead and publicly address the issue. If this issue is not aggressively dealt with, many fans will be turn off and the game will suffer. Maybe in the best interest of the game, Liverpool should accept the additional two games ban and move on?

“When the referee showed me the second yellow card and sent me off, I could not believe it," Mascherano said. "I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear, I was not aggressive and I did not confront him.” 

 After reading Mascherano quotes or his reactions to his sending off, my conclusions are the following: This is a cultural difference issue? Maybe this kind of behavior is tolerated in South America? Or he is a naïve about the viewing public ability to see and comprehend what’s happening on the pitch? Or he is just a liar?  

 I have read some comments that the second yellow card should have been given sooner- I agree. If you go back and look at the game you will see the deterioration in his behavior. During that game he uttered the F-bomb (“F-OFF”) at least once- not sure who it was directed to? Even more concerning was his behavior after he was asked to leave the field. He was not responding to his teammate’s efforts to have him leave the field. This is why, like others, I hope the FA give him an additional game or two ban. The message has got to be clear- this kind of behavior has no place in football.

I am disappointed that Rafa Benitez-Liverpool’s Manager- does not agree with Mascherano's dismissal after received second yellow, for dissent against Manchester United. According to Benitez: "I would like to speak to Keith Hackett because it is important that we find a solution."  I don’t see how Benitez reaction, is good for the game; rather his reponse only helps to encourage such behavior. Mascherano ran almost 20 yards to badger referee Bennett regarding a yellow card issued to his teammate -Torres.  Frankly, I hope the FA increase his ban from one game three games and fine Benitez and Liverpool. This is the only way to clean up the game; the FA has to show its support the referees. Benitez said. "At Liverpool, we respect the game, we respect the rules and we respect the referee." I am sorry but Mascherano’s behavior showed quite the opposite- his behavior showed no respect for the official or the game. As I watched, I felt if he was not restrained by his teammates, things could have got worst? So for the love of the game, Benitez, firstly acknowledge your player behavior “out of bounds and unaceptable” and take internal actions to prevent from re-occurring. Secondly, in your meeting with Mr. Hackett offer a sincere apology