Matches between the big four rarely come and go without incident and another instalment of action between Manchester United and Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal didn't disappoint.
We've had 'Pizzagate', 'Keown v van Nistelrooy' and the three red cards in last season's Carling Cup final to name but a few. So we shouldn't really be surprised that there was yet more infamy on Grand Slam Sunday. And we shouldn't be surprised either that the subject of debate this week, of all weeks, would be about respect, or a lack of it, shown towards referees.
Mascherano: 'what's happening?'
After Ashley Cole brought the hot topic to the top of the news agenda last week with the contempt he showed for Mike Riley, players were going to be walking a tightrope on Sunday afternoon and in the end it was Liverpool's Argentine international Javier Mascherano who put a foot wrong and slipped.
Dismissed
Already on a yellow card when Liverpool were 1-0 down at Old Trafford, Mascherano chose the wrong moment to ask referee Steve Bennett 'what's happening?' when team-mate Fernando Torres was booked after he was fouled by Rio Ferdinand. Bennett drew another yellow card, then a red and Mascherano's afternoon was done.
It is a scoreline that suggests that Liverpool have been hammered but the truth of the matter is that they weren't hammered.
Andy Gray
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While many will continue to argue that Mascherano should have been nowhere near the referee and didn't need to get involved, Andy Gray stood up for the Liverpool midfielder, telling The Last Word, that football has a problem if you get sent off for asking the referee a question.
"First of all I think Mascherano was disappointed with his booking," he told the Sky Sports show. "We could tell the minute it happened when he slid in on (Paul) Scholes, a lot of referees would have let it go, but Steve Bennett decided that he would book him.
"He was rattled by that, Mascherano, you could see it in his play.
"Steve Bennett has his own way of refereeing a game but it is not mine. A lot of people might say that he was absolutely, 100 per cent right. I don't think he was.
"I agree that he (Mascherano) should have stayed away. He didn't, so forget that. Are you telling me that Steve Bennett is going to send off every single player that comes up to him and says, 'what's happening?'."
Contempt
Gray argued that there was a big difference between Cole's and Mascherano's misdemeanours and that Cole, who escaped dismissal, should have seen red while it was rough justice on Mascherano.
He said: "Ashley Cole should have been dismissed in mid-week. No doubt about it.
"His treatment of the referee was a disgrace. To turn his back on him like that and treat him with such contempt, whether you like referees or not, was wrong, ill-advised and he shouldn't have done it. He should have been sent off and that might have been the end of it.
"But if you are telling me that if you go up to a referee and you stand in front of him and you are being not aggressive and he didn't swear at him (you should be sent off).
"Where are we going with this game? Where are we going with it? Do me a favour. There are problems in the game, we know there are, and Ashley Cole's was an unpleasent part of modern day football.
"But if we are going to send players off for going up to a referee and saying, 'what's happening?', and the referee cannot handle it and reacts like that every time, then we have got a problem.
Abuse
"I will tell you something that happened in the game: Another player, in the second-half, went over to Steve Bennett and he gave him a verbal volley of industrial language. Right at him.
"I'm not telling you (who) because it is not my business to get players into trouble but that is what happens. Suddenly, if you say 'what's happening?' to the referee, you get sent off, but if you give him a volley, you don't."
Although Manchester United were leading when Liverpool went down to ten men, Gray believed that Bennett's decision had an impact on the game, saying it changed the way that Rafael Benitez's side had to approach the match.
Title
He said: "It is a scoreline that suggests that Liverpool have been hammered but the truth of the matter is that they weren't hammered.
"The two goals came at a time when they were down to ten men and they knew they had to chase the game.
"If they had any ideas at all about being in the shake of this title race, I think Steven Gerrard and Benitez and his team knew that they had to win at Old Trafford."
With Arsenal losing at Chelsea, regardless of how or why events unfolded, Manchester United now have a five-point cushion over Chelsea in second at the top of the Premier League and a vastly superior goal difference to both Arsenal, now six points adrift, and Chelsea.
Liverpool, 14 points behind United, have a bigger battle on their hands holding off Everton for the final Champions League spot (watch the Merseyside derby live on Sky Sports from 3.30pm, Sunday March 30).
Javier Mascherano won't be there, suspended of course, but the debate about whether he should or shouldn't have been sent off will rage on.
Comments (88)
Paul Sweeney (Leeds United fan) says...
This issue is about a lack of common sense, and refereeing inconsistancy. Mascherano should never have approached Steve Bennett after his first booking. Torres was an idiot for getting booked but Mascherano was realy foolish. Xavi Alonso, tried to stop him, then gave up and let him go talk to the ref. I clearly saw him say 'whats happening', but does Bennet have to explan every decision? No. He doesnt HAVE to explain any. If it was a different ref, he may have let it go but any player in a game with Bennett as ref must know what he's like and behave accordingley. The bottom line is the if Mascherano minded his own business and he (and Torres) kept their mouths shut, they would not have been booked. Mascherano's behaviour afterwards while unacceptable, was understandable. What almost made it worse was the yellow card given to AshleyCole for what couldve been a horror tackle on Alan Hutton. I think Hutton saw him coming and got his weight of his leg otherwise Cole would have seriously injured him. The tackle itself was a red card. It was high, late and reckless, but he was only given a yellow. His behaviour towards Mike Riley (surely the worse ref in the league), was embarrassing and worthy of another yellow at least, and maybe a red. As is always the case with Chelsea, Lampard, Drogba, Carvalho and Big Time Charlie John Terry ran 20 yards each to berate and abuse the ref, which again he was unable to deal with. If he produced 4 yellow cards for them all, it would stop the constant questioning of decision and slowing the game down. Nobody tunes in to a great game to watch Terry argue with a ref. Ashley Cole - High, late, reckless challenge which makes contact with Huttons leg. Playground display of petulance and disprespect towards the ref a few days before he represents his country. - YELLOW CARD. Mascherano - A few ratty little nibbles at Paul Scholes, and a bit of badly timed backchat. RED CARD. Its wrong
Posted 08:51 27th March 2008
Steve Hickey (Liverpool fan) says...
I'm a lifelong Liverpool fan and there is absolutely no question, in my mind that Mascherano deserved the second yellow card. Bennett showed very poor judgement in issuing the first yellow to Mascherano. After all, there was no real contact and it was a first offence. So yes, Bennett needs to learn that he looses all our respect as a top class referee by falling foul of this basic rule. However, this is an issue that has to be dealt with off the pitch. That said Mascherano is meant to be a professional. He is paid for a trade where anyone with any sense knows that you can't continually barage the ref with abuse or even questions delivered in an abusive manner (including petulantly running across the pitch with total disregard to the consequences). In my younger days, I used to love playing amateur soccer in the Sunday league against hot heads like Mascherano. They were so stupid, you could easily wind them up and get them red carded from every game. It didn't matter how useful they were on the pitch. But I have two issues with the current Liverpool set up. Recently, Babel, Benayoun and Mascherano have constantly challenged the referee after having recieved a yellow card. This is sheer stupidity and last weeks sending off was an accident waiting to happen. I'm disgusted that Gerrard and Benitez did not get hold of the situation much earlier and put this idiot right. What is even more incredible is that Benitez seems to be supporting Mascherano's petulant approach to Bennet, who is clearly a referee that has a weakness in handling these sort of situations. Wise up boys. You're getting paid millions for a job that requires a level of sense that majority of us amateurs have.
Posted 05:15 27th March 2008
Steve Hickey (Liverpool fan) says...
I'm a lifelong Liverpool fan and there is absolutely no question, in my mind that Mascherano deserved the second yellow card. Bennett showed very poor judgement in issuing the first yellow to Mascherano. After all, there was no real contact and it was a first offence. so yes, Bennett needs to learn that he looses all our respect as a top class referee by failing falling foul of this basic rule. However that is an issue to be dealt with off the pitch. But Mascherano is meant to be a professional. He is paid for a trade when anyone with any sense knows that you can't continually barage the ref with abuse or even questions delivered in an abusive manner (including petulantly running across the pitch with total disregard to the consequences). In my younger days, I used to love playing amateur soccer in the Sunday league against hot heads like Mascherano. They were so stupid, you could easily wind them up and get them red carded from every game. It didn't matter how useful they were on the pitch. But I have two issues with the current Liverpool set up. Recently, Babel, Benayoun and Mascherano have constantly challenged the referee after having recieved a yellow card. This is sheer stupidity and last weeks sending off was an accident waiting to happen. I'm disgusted that Gerrard and Benitez did not ge hold of the situation much earlier and put this idiot right. What is even more incredible is that Benitez seems to be supporting Mascherano's petulant approach to Bennet, who is clearly a referee that has a weakness in handling these situations. Wise up boys. You're getting paid millions for a job that requires a level of sense that most amateurs have.
Posted 05:08 27th March 2008
Tom Mac (Manchester United fan) says...
As an Ex-pat working abroad I look forward to the weekend's soccer. Albeit an MUFC supporter I pass comment about sportmanship in general. Mascherano's behaviour from the first booking was not good, he could be seen to be swearing at the referee and this ultimately led to continuing abuse for the ref. The result was to the detrement of the fans who paid good money to watch this game. This behaviour has crept into the game with many players 'Cheating' and claiming throw ins & corners when they clearly know to the contrary. What happened to the rule 'Seeking to gain an unfair advantage?' It is lack of disci[pline all round brought on by huge salaries, oversized egos and managerial failings. Where are the sportmen such as Linaker, Moore and Charlton?
Posted 05:03 27th March 2008
Stephen Shaw (Liverpool fan) says...
I beleive that the ref could at the point of the game where Scholes was fouled, he had the option of bringing both captains together, explaining that both teams would need to cool it, this would have shown respect to both captains, it would have brought a sense of perpective to the game, and would have rescued the prospect of a footballing spectacle. Never mind the issue about Mascherano, I think there are leadership issues which were sadly lacking on Sunday in Liverpools team. Where was gerrard? At the point of the booking, not to be seen. On the pitch creating team spirit? not to be seen. At the point where Mascherano is arguing with bennett? not to be seen. After the sending off? Hardly a word. I remember in the famous Ch Leage final 2005 after scoring the goal to make it 3-1 how he physically encouraged the crowd and the team, what a result. Gerrard needs to start and take control, and lead like we know he can. Or is his heart not in it anymore?
Posted 04:32 27th March 2008
John Gorsen (Portsmouth fan) says...
Contempt for Mascherano??? Look at Steve Bennett he struts around the field like he owns Old Trafford. I understand why Mascherano loses his head he gives no explainations and completely ignores the players... respect earns respect
Posted 02:06 27th March 2008
Tony Metcalfe (Liverpool fan) says...
Steve Bennett was completely out of order sending Mascherano of for the "whats happening" incident. If this was common practise, then a match would never finish due to a lack of players. On numerous occations both Man U and Liverpool argued with Bennett, but he obviously had it in for Mascherano from the start. A referee is supposed to be impartial. Steve Bennett most certainly was not. I understand that the home team can get some preferential treatment from referees from time to time, I know Liverpool have gained an advantage or two in the past while at Anfield, but this was behond a joke and as far as I am concerned the referee is either a cheat or incompitent! I certainly hope it is the later.
Posted 22:54 26th March 2008
Raymond Mccabe (Hearts fan) says...
As a neutral I must say that Mascherano was somewhat silly to behave in the manner he did on Sunday, but his behaviour pales into insignificance at the utter hypocrisy of the FA who have now charged him further. The hypocrisy is based on their heads in the sand attitude over the Ashley Cole affair, where apart from the tackle which has been well discussed, the contempt shown by Cole warranted further action to be taken against this insignificant petulant little man. Inconsistency and double standards are rife in sport particularly in football.
Posted 20:23 26th March 2008
Eddie Mccoll (Manchester United fan) says...
Normally I would agree with Andy, but this time hehas got it totally wrong. The disent went on right from the start of the game or has Andy got manager's eyes all of a sudden. Liverpool's mngt team & captain could/should have seen it coming.
Posted 19:37 26th March 2008
Stephen Campbell (Luton Town fan) says...
Reading all the comments, one thing is evident that we don't all agree with what happened with Mascherano's sending off. I think it's been blown out of all proportion including with today's FA's charge for his reaction to Mr Bennett. It is a shame no one charges the Referees for getting it wrong, as Mr Bennett did. You would think by all the comments that football is all about the referees. That is a shmae because it should be the 22 players that determines the result on the pitch. What happened in this incident sums our game up and that is petty. I always thought it was a man's sport but when you see some of the challenges being booked you would think it was a non contact sport and now it may become a non verbal sport. Where's all the passion in the good old english game of Football? Come on refs, stop spoiling the game, you never remember the good refs thats how it should be.
Posted 19:21 26th March 2008
Paul Clarke (Queens Park Rangers fan) says...
Football never fails to draw divided opinion on just about every aspect of the game - for many reasons that is why we gain so much enjoyment from talking about it and the games we watch. However, I am somewhat perplexed, even annoyed, at the attitudes of some so called proffessional football pundits regarding the week in week out crticism of referees. The poor old refs have a desperately difficult job to do, they have abuse hurled at them from every angle even when they have made just one or two possible mistakes out of several hundred decisions per game. The referee is there to control the game. The players are there to play football and abide by the rules of the game. The refs decisons must be respected. I didnt see too many complaints from the liverpool players at the weekend - Masch was asking for trouble and he got it and the liverpool players know it. To all you proffessional footballers, influencers and pundits out there - give the refs a break - HELP them sort out the consistancy of the rules - get video playback for critical decisions and give the ref powers to penalise players and teams with alternatives to yellow and red cards. Introduce a 5 minute sin bin between yellow and red and/or move the free kick on ten yards for bad sportsmanship or discent. Its not rocket science. If players keep up the bad behaiviour they will immediately disadvantage their team - look how well it works in rugby???? Great debate between Andy and Jamie but I have to say Andy you are wrong wrong wrong on this one!!
Posted 17:34 26th March 2008
Steve Garrod (Manchester United fan) says...
I think the ref got the sending off spot on. Mascherano seemed determined to be sent off and Bennett had already told him to be quiet earlier so he can really have no excuse. In the past Rooney has been as guilty as anyone in swearing at the ref but these players need to learn that there is no place for it. I play local football and the refs don't stand for any back chat or swearing at them. As for Liverpool moaning about Torres treatment I can only remember 2 fouls on him all game, 1 from Vidic and then 1 from Ferdinand. Rooney and Ronaldo receive this week in week out. I hope that you are not suggesting that defenders shouldn't be allowed to tackle Torres! Lets face it Rio had him in his pocket and he wasn't in the game. If anything Liverpool were lucky that Rooney was so honest as Carragher could easily have been sent off early in the first half. I think Liverpool need to accept that they were second best on the day and take responsibility for their own actions rather than blaming the ref for the loss.
Posted 12:23 26th March 2008
Bright Lee (Arsenal fan) says...
First of all, I think Steve Bennett did his right to send off Javier Mascherano. Javier deserved a second yellow card for "dissent" as he'd walk to referee and challenged the decision from Steve Bennett. From the Laws of the Games, No players could argue with any referees for his/her decision. Remember, NO ONE can do it. If someone would like to argue the decision from referee, that player should be caution for unsporting behaviour or dissent. So what's the point to argue for the 2nd yellow card for Javier Mascherano? He'd be worth to send off as what he did! I watched back that game again and Steve Bennett gave his "sign" (Shhhhh!!!) in front of him to ask him to cool down after Steve gave a yellow card to Javier. Javier didn't accept it and kept challenging referee. What can you do if you were him? Especially just 20 seconds ago, you book another player for dissent as he'd be complaining your decision? If Steve Bennett didn't gave him a second yellow. I felt Steve Bennett is a bias referee. Referees in UK don't have any power to say his point of view in public (Graeme Poll told that before). That'd be the reasons they can't show their rights.........
Posted 12:05 26th March 2008
Jamie Redknapp (Liverpool fan) says...
At the beginning of the Mascherano incident, Torres was fouled, and rightfully awarded a free-kick. Why then is Torres hammering the referee about the decision, he's got his free-kick? If he was saying it was worthy of a card, then he is trying to influence the referee to book a player and that is wrong. I am with Martin Samuel on the Mascherano debate, who gives a damning verdict on Gray's punditry on Sky Sports on Sunday. I applaud Steve Bennett for having the guts for standing up to such petulance. Why should every decision by the referee be scrutinised by players? Are you saying Andy that after every blow of the whistle every player has the right to run 20-30 yards to ask the referee what is going on? This is a ridiculous proposition, which disrupts the flow of the game, wastes time and undermines the referee. The incident had nothing to do with Mascherano, had the captain Gerrard gone over, I could understand. Players need to accept the decisions and get on with the game. I do not understand some footballers judgement. How on earth is Ashley Cole arguing with the ref about receiving a yellow on his assault on Hutton? It was a blatant red! And why is Mascherano arguing over his first yellow on Scholes? Again, by the letter of the law, it was a blatant yellow. Players need to wake up and own up to their actions, its pathetic. There is no respect for the referee at the moment, this must change.
Posted 11:38 26th March 2008
Arthur Blundell (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
We both watched the game on Sunday and I said after Mascherano got booked that he was on a mission to get sent off. He had constantly nagged at Bennett ever since his earlier booking and why should the referee stand for that ?. I Know Andy Gray thinks he knows everything but he is wrong in this case....
Posted 11:25 26th March 2008
Matthew Hurst (Nuneaton fan) says...
I was not saying that Clattenburg was a 'good' referee, i was making the point that his style of refereeing is more suited to the big games. All referees make mistakes, some worse than others but in terms of fouls, the ref gets one chance to make the decision, most of the time they get it right but the way a referee handles the players is greatly different. I suppose its about personality and there are certain referees you wouldn't want to referee certain games, Steve Bennett is one of those refs who you know will come down hard on the 'issue of the moment'.
Posted 10:02 26th March 2008
Jason Baker (Manchester United fan) says...
I just can´t believe how silly Mascherano was. I said to myself just after he was booked the first time (when he comtinued fíng and blinding at the ref) "be careful matey or you are going off". What happens!?!? I mean sort it out man. Yes, if he was just "asking the ref what was going on" then fair enough it was harsh, but the way he was disrepecting the referee all the time after his 1st yellow card then what did he expect. He could easily have got a 2nd yellow before that happened. Maybe he will learn his lesson from his probable multi-match suspension. As for the comment about Marc Clattenberg being the only half decent ref.....hmmm... he has been involved an quiet a few blunders this season, for example when Steven Gerrard somehow persuaded him to give Hibbert a red instead of a yellow. Disgrace. You could clearly see that he was going to give him a yellow, then Gerrard walks past and mutters something then all of a sudden hmmm RED!! Mind you I can see why you like him. :-) Well on a better note, lets hope the run-in is as exciting as it has been recently (football-wise that is). Gonna be an exciting finish between the three best teams.
Posted 08:01 26th March 2008
Paul Carroll (Manchester United fan) says...
I think Mascherano only has himself to blame, he lost control. I agree with a lot of the comments previously about him constantly badgering the ref, but I think that common sense should prevail in these situations, with the importance of the game etc. I think that Gerrard or Benitez should have got a grip of the lad and calmed him down, it was clear he was over-hyped up from the start. If he had stayed on, I don't think the result would have changed (maybe not 3-0 though). It is a shame as it did ruin a good game but I agree with Jamie Redknapp rather than Andy sorry!
Posted 07:35 26th March 2008
Paul Heslop (Liverpool fan) says...
I agree 100% with Andy Gray's comments on the Mascherano sending off. Torres was kicked all over Salford, and was booked for complaining and if Masch deserved to be sent off as most Man U fans suggest, then Rooney, Ronaldo and our new national captain would barely complete a match in which decisions don't go their way. Rooney can be seen swearing at officials week in week out, Ronaldo throws his arms in the air complaining of being fouled every time someone has the nerve to tackle him, how dare they. And Ferdinand Giggs Neville etc all chip away at the officials when things don't go their way. Masch was guilty of one thing, annoying the referee and most of us watching, but if that's a sending off then elbows and dangerous tackles should carry life bans!!!!!
Posted 03:32 26th March 2008
Stephen Burstow (Liverpool fan) says...
I didn't see the game but it's all the press afterwards aswell. The biggest problem from what is being said is the consistency. Especially with the FA launching their "RESPECT" campaign..... Fact: respect has to be earnt. Not just given. If they want referees to be respected then they need them to be consistant not only in different games but within the same game. I have watched games where one player has been booked for a challenge then later, the opposition do a simmilar or worse tackle and don't get penalised for it. Until that is remedied then can we really be supprised that referees aren't respected. For refferes Consistancy will equal Respect.
Posted 00:29 26th March 2008
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