Former Premier League referee Graham Poll believes Liverpool FC
midfielder Javier Mascherano should be facing a five game ban for
his overzealous challenge on Manchester City star Gareth Barry, and
suggests if the FA disciplinary panel are consistent then it should
be a formality.
The Liverpool FC enforcer was very fortunate not to receive a
second yellow card for his lunge on Manchester City’s Barry during
their 0-0 Premier League draw at the weekend, yet Poll claims the
Argentine’s tackle was worthy of a straight Red card.
Graham Poll believes the challenge, which was above the ankle
and over the ball, should have resulted in the Liverpool FC star
being sent off and subsequently banned for five games; three for
the straight red card, and two additional games because he has
already been sent off twice this season. As a result Mascherano
could escape punishment for his tackle on the Manchester City
player, if the FA deem the offence yellow card worthy only.
Speaking about the Liverpool FC star’s challenge on his
Manchester City counterpart, the ex-Premier League official told
the Daily Mail: “Javier Mascherano should be facing a
five-match ban - and he still may be if the FA disciplinary
department work in a consistent manner after his over-the-top
challenge on Manchester City's Gareth Barry in the drab 0-0 draw
against Liverpool at Eastlands on Sunday afternoon.”
“TV analysts thought that the Argentine should have been
dismissed, but only as a result of a second yellow card.”
“In my opinion, it should have been a straight red.”
“But for referee Peter Walton, not even a free-kick was
justified, which surely means he did not see the incident.”
“Remember that this is the same ref who two weeks ago had no
hesitation in dismissing Manchester United's Nani for a two-footed
lunge in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park.”
“Mascherano went over the top of the ball with force and into
the side of Barry's leg above the ankle, and the incident is shown
clearly on video evidence which the FA will have studied
yesterday.”
“If they feel that only a yellow card should have been issued,
then they can take no action, saving the Argentine a three-match
ban - one for the dismissal and a further two because it would have
been his third sending-off this season.”
“If they see the challenge as red, and the charge is proven,
then Liverpool will be without their midfield enforcer for the next
five domestic matches - three games plus one more for each of his
two previous dismissals this season.”
“Two years ago Sportsmail highlighted horror tackles being
missed by referees who cannot rely on the FA correcting their
mistakes with retrospective action.”
“Hopefully, the last 10 days have been nothing more than a blip
rather than a trend which could mar a fantastic climax to an
absorbing season.”
