The biggest lie to nail is the one about consistency. You will have heard it.
Javier Mascherano
should not have been booked, and therefore sent off, on Sunday because
last week, last month or last year another player from another club did the
same and got away with it. This argument collapses with the revelation that
referees do not arrive packaged in an Acme box like the entrapment devices in
Road Runner cartoons but are that curious mixture of deoxyribonucleic acid
that goes to make the bipedal primate known as man.
Men react to similar situations in different ways, which is why some let you
in from a side road and others treat the slow emergence of your car as an
affront to human civilisation. As every instance of dissent, each foul and
any handball will be, in some small way, unique, there will always be the
random factor of interpretation. Unless the Premier League wishes to divert
much of its television bounty from the onerous duty of propping up the most
falsely inflated market this side of the New England property bubble, to
begin work on a programme aimed at inventing heartless cyborgs to take
charge of future matches, we are stuck with referees selected from life that
occurs naturally on this planet. Therefore, inconsistencies will arise.
Leaving entry-level biology aside, though, there is another reason why Steve
Bennett was within his rights to book Mascherano at Old Trafford when he
might not have contemplated the same action had the incident taken place a
month earlier, and it will be instantly apparent to anyone who has either
had children or been one (which, unless this cyborg production line is more
of a goer than we think, we can presume is most of us).
Remember when you were at school and everyone was playing up in a lesson and
the teacher would ask for quiet? Then he might have said it again, with more
sternness. He may even have demanded it a third time, in a manner that
suggested that he was on the cusp of losing the plot, with the threat that
the next person who so much as whispered was going into detention. Well, you
shut up then, didn't you?
And if you were the one who was so dumb that you carried on talking when even
the nutters, the wild men, the ones who were going to leave at 16 for a
fledgeling career in car crime and juvenile delinquency, knew to pipe down,
you deserved everything that was coming your way. Not because that mumbled,
smart aleck aside to your friend was so much worse than what had gone
before, but because you were plain, slack-jawed stupid. You knew that the
situation had changed, you knew the climate in which you were operating and
you paid it no mind. That was Mascherano on Sunday.
Every parent has been in Bennett's shoes, too. “Guys, stop playing with a real
football in the house, you'll break something.” Five minutes later. “Look,
boys, I've told you once, get dressed and go outside if you want to play
football. I'm not having it in here.” Five minutes more. “Is that the damn
ball I can hear again? It better not be. I've told you twice now - if I see
that thing in here again today, no Game Boy for a week.” Another five
minutes, big thump against the wall. “Right, I warned you, Will, that's it,
no Game Boy. But? But what? I don't care about Rob doing it. I didn't see
him, Will, I saw you. You were told, both of you. I warned you.”
Recognise that? It might not be perfect parenting as endorsed by child
psychologists, but it is instantly familiar as life as lived in millions of
households everywhere, so its principles should not be too foreign for
footballers to understand. There are basic rules (no games with real
footballs in the house) and we try to apply them without being mirthlessly
authoritarian (the genial, if firm, reminder stage), but if no one pays
attention, there is usually a final notice (no Game Boy) and then the
crackdown (give me that Game Boy).
Even if Mascherano or the management at his club were so blasé about the
controversy over Ashley Cole's dissent to Mike Riley, the referee, during
Chelsea's match against Tottenham Hotspur last week that they did not sense
that the climate had changed, it is impossible to believe that Bennett did
not talk to a senior representative of Manchester United and Liverpool at
Old Trafford to tell them that respect for officials was high on the agenda.
At Stamford Bridge, before the match between Chelsea and Arsenal, Mark
Clattenburg, the referee, could be seen spelling out the new dynamic to John
Terry and William Gallas, the captains. His body language was immediately
decipherable and, if Bennett was not as transparent in his intentions, his
last act immediately before Mascherano's booking - he showed the yellow card
to Fernando Torres, the Liverpool striker, for dissent - should have been
the clue that it was not the time to run 25 yards to dispute the decision.
It does not matter how many times Mascherano had previously queried Bennett's
judgment (which was plenty) or what he said when he got there, whether he
swore, or doubted Bennett's parentage or merely inquired, as he claims:
“What is happening?” It is the run that got him sent off, not the
commentary.
Referees put up with a lot on the field because their dialogue with the
players is ostensibly private. So José Manuel Reina can say to the referee
that he thinks he is having a bad game and the referee might reply that it
is hardly his fault that Reina cannot catch the ball, and life goes on. The
television cameras famously picked out Wayne
Rooney repeatedly swearing at Graham Poll, the referee during a match at
Highbury in February 2005, but in Poll's mind this was going on out of
sight, certainly of the crowd, and he dealt with it man to man.
Where Mascherano overstepped the mark was in running across the field to begin
his confrontation. This was a blatant act of defiance, one that undermined
the authority of the referee in front of players, club officials and
everyone in the stadium. It was the difference between a childish tantrum in
the home, met with a five-minute time-out in the bedroom (and a scornful
“you're not getting your way like that, Mister”) and one in the middle of
the high street, which will receive all manner of hissed threats, curses and
the administration of a parental code red (“no electronic toys of any
description for a month, Sunshine, and this time I mean it”).
It is this nuance that went unappreciated by the league of old sweats, as
embodied by Andy Gray, the Sky Sports football expert. If there was a list
of clichés to cover a dissent-related red card, Gray ticked them off one by
one, from ruining the game to the referee (not the player) losing control
and being unable to handle a big match. “What, can't you talk to referees
any more?” he asked, as if Mascherano had attempted to engage Bennett in
cocktail-hour chit-chat in the manner of Noël Coward.
Richard Keys, the presenter, asked whether Mascherano had acted foolishly in
the present climate. Gray claimed ignorance of any change in mood, a
ridiculous stance considering the attention given Cole's behaviour, which
coincided with the launch of the FA's campaign to win greater respect for
officials. It was left to Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool captain, to
acknowledge the need for a different approach - the irony being that, at
this point, we saw Gray's view of any challenge to his authority, which was
considerably less composed than Bennett's to Mascherano.
Thankfully, Redknapp refused to be bullied by Gray's raised voice and stood
firm on the issue of professional responsibility. He deserves credit for
that. It would have been easy to have joined the club, to have fallen in
with the party line and, while he may not have won any friends at Anfield
with his stance, he has gone up in estimations just about everywhere else,
including, one hopes, at Sky.
Gray, by contrast, sounded like a voice from the past, a spokesman for
football's credo of live and don't learn. Taken into the real world, the
contention would be that as Johnny did not get a detention for talking
during geography the first time, then Freddie should not get it, either,
when he disrupts the lesson after the teacher has issued five warnings and
the class is on the brink of anarchy. Football does not want consistency, it
wants stupidity. It wants the freedom to make the same mistake twice. We got
it wrong last time, so we must get it wrong this time, too. Yes, we'll keep
being wrong, but at least we'll be consistent.
Perhaps it was for the best that Riley did not show Cole the red card he
deserved at White Hart Lane. This error served as the wake-up call, the
reminder that we had gone too far and it was time for adjustment. After what
happened at Old Trafford on Sunday, any player approaching the referee in a
disrespectful manner - including all 25-yard sprints, however cheerful the
demeanour on arrival - is asking for a yellow card.
The difference between Mascherano and the child with the confiscated Game Boy
is that one is a restless ten-year-old frustrated by a rainy Sunday and the
other is a professional with five years' experience and worth £17million for
his aptitude in a midfield role that requires discipline. The child might
get his toy back after a few days of household chores, but from here, any
player who has talked his way into trouble is going to need to do a lot more
than a few bowls of washing-up to charm his way out of it.
Personally, i do not believe that it should have been a sending-off. I'm in favour of an increase in respect in the game in reference to referees and a crackdown on the arrogant nature of players such as lampard and rooney who's self confidence in their own ''celebrity star'' status -threatens to run riot in many a game. However, this said, i believe a move to a complete, totalitarian approach would be to the determent of the game.Personally i believe that footballing culture should be taken more drastic steps and cracking down upon the cheating and abusive nature of the game - leg-breaking tackles, abusive language, conspiring to get others sent off and diving..Now one of samuel's points regards the public embarassment of the nature of mascherano's actions as worthy of a booking - surely colloquial language face to face with officials exposed to the viewing public constitutes punishment with more severity - that would solve the problem of consistency at least.
Jonny Whiley, Saltburn,
Mascherano is the ideal scapegoat to send the message. He deserved what he got,however,if you really want to send a message don`t pick on a foreigner like Mascherand, go after the biggest offenders,Terry,Cole,Rooney they are all English and get a pass. Double standards are well and alive in England.
raysagres, lake worth florida, USA
The same people who call for consistency are the same that want the ref to not give red/yellow cards in the early stages of a game, they want the referee to "use some common sense to keep 22 men on the pitch" when an already booked played commits another yellow card offence. They expect leniency in derby matches, or big cup matches.
It is a myth. If referees were consistent, if we replaced them with robots who applied the rules with unwavering uniformity, people would still complain.
Perhaps it's more people want consistency for their opponents and common sense for their team.
Either way, I'm sure people wouldn't want refs to be perfect because then they'd have to look at their own team's performance instead of laying the blame on the officials.
Adam, Brighton, UK
Unfortunately there is far too much dissent in football. Every decision by the referee is disputed by at least one team on the field. Football should take a tip from rugby (both codes) where dissent is penalised. Within a very short time there would be little dissent, and the football game could then 'flow'. Unfortunately there is no stomach for this in the FA or EUFA, so the constant abuse aimed at referees will continue.
David Leslie, Perth, Scotland
Mascherano deserved to be sent off, and i'm a Liverpool fan, I think he is a class player, what gets my goat, well actually a few things actually.
1. You never get that sort of dissent in rugby, if you do... your off, some of you football fans (and players) need to watch a game of super league.
2. I stopped playing amateur football because the standard was going down, too many younger lads wearing £120 boots but can't kick a ball 20 yards in a straight line, who can give it but can't take it, and think the referee is something on the bottom of there shoe.
3. Pundits - The BBC should use Lee Dixon and Gavin Peacock more.
4. It all starts with the FA, it has to start there, but they are a weak organization and pander to the top clubs.
5. The referee has to realise is place, you don't notice a good referee during a game.
6. its up to the players to act responsibly, but i'm afraid some of our 'stars' behave like spoilt kids.
Phil, dalton, cumbria
An excellent article, spot on. Indeed, Mascherano claimed he had done nothing aggressive towards the referee; what Martin Samuel omits is that, in addition to the 20 yard sprint, he also placed his face about 2 inches from the ref's face. Not aggressive??
Andy Gray's defence of Mascherano was actually the worst thing about the tv programme: how many players, young and not -so-young, are going to be in a referee's face next weekend? And how many promising young refs will say "Stuff it, I'm going to do something less threatening with my weekends." ?? Shame indeed on Andy Gray.
michael, harrogate, uk
Martin Samuel. Spot on. Insightful, eloquent and in this case absolutely right in my opinion. Any manager would have reminded their players of the current climate of the need to be respectful of the referees after the Cole incident and the likely backlash. The analogy of the spoilt child and the parental warnings followed by the action is superb. He only has himself to blame after not reading the signs. Fancy running 20 yards when he wasn't even involved.
Now let's see some yellow cards for the 3 players who want to crowd around and intimidate referees when a decision against their team mate looks imminent. The yellows worked for the shirt removers. Lets see them used for the likes of those who rushed in to argue Ashley Cole's defence after his dangerous tackle. Perhaps that will send out the message to all involved in the FA's campaign to have respect for the game's officials. If it's not happening in the games shopfront window, why would it happen at the local park?
Dave Swain, Penarth, Wales
I work with a lady , who referee sunday league games down the local park. She had a bmeeting at Pride park with Fa referee development officer and we need extra 8,000 referees to meet the demands of the game at all levels. It is hardly surprising that no one want to do it anymore because of the abuse and bullying from sidelines supporters and parents. this is killing the game at all levels. why do rugby palyer have more respect? We gotta respect the refs.
Tony, Derby,
Congratulations to Martin for speaking up against the utter rubbish that was spouted from Andy Gray's mouth straight after the Man U game, then again after the Chelski game.
Mr Gray - if you are reading, your one eyed antiquated stance, given both the goings on during the previous week at Spurs and the number of times Mr Masch approached the ref, and in the manner he did, was quite disappointing from a supposedly respected pundit.
Sky - sign Mr Hansen.....replace the old guard!!
Pierre, Glasgow,
One of the reasons I have stopped watching football is the way that English players like Cole get millions to play with the mouth and contest every ruling referees make (and it is not a new phenomenon). Martin Samuels analysis is fallacious, invents data and is plainly wrong: what differentiates a referee from your normal poorly-defined man is that he is bound to respect and enforce rules and if that respect or the enforcement is not consistent there is no point of having a referee...
Trying to justify the unjustifiable does not improve the image of the referee but makes a big dent on Samuels' one
F. Barrio, London, UK
Someone posted above criticising people who have said the referee was not consistent in one game. Were there any Man Utd tackles worthy of a booking by themselves. Perhaps not. But Torres was fouled about 8 times in the first half including three times in the run up to the boiling point.
Of course the Liverpool players will be frustrated that they were booked and a United player wouldnt. Then again having seen how Ferguson reacts when a decision goes against him at OT then why would a referee not favour Utd.
I thinik the Portsmouth game plays a part here. Ferguson did what he set out to do after that game. Referees are afraid to call games fairly at OT - lest they receive a mouthful from SAF.
graeme, Manchester,,
Before I start let me say I am a Liverpool fan.
The reason Mascherano behaved like such an idiot was that it was obvious Man U were going to beat us from about 10 minutes in. The reason nobody in the team had a word with him when it was obvious he was going to get sent off - way before the final incident of dissent - is that this then gave the team a convenient excuse for losing. We didn't show up for the game. The referee is always an easy, and the first target when trying to shift criticism and blame for poor perfomance. Hence Benitez jumping straight on the bandwagon.
paul, cambridge,
CCards on the table (no pun intended) I am a Liverpool fan (and a rugby league fan) so I am always tempted to stick up for those in all red (although Diouf I always made an exception for). Also as a parent I recognise some of the points made by Martin. I would point out though that if, because of the poor behaviour of one child (i.e. Cole), I then harshly punished another then I am establishing a present. If I then failed to punish the original child (or another) for poor behaviour (especially if worse) then I will quickly lose any respect that I might have gained. In rugby league, a working class game with working class fans, zero tolerance means just that for the whole season (and the next) and it shows in the behaviour on the (mixed crowds) on the terraces. Unfortunately why do I think we will be having this debate again next year. Good luck to the referees and well done but only if you keep it going until we don’t need it anymore.
Tony, Liverpool,
Absolutely spot on article. Bennet had a good game, I really don't see what most people here are referring to as 'equally bad' tackles as Mascherano's first yellow. Certainately not Carricks perfect tackle which is the only one I remember Liverpool aggrieved about. Mascherano was an idiot, pure and and simple, and in some ways acted worse (read stupider) than Cole. Cole was warned to stop or he'd be sent off, and he stopped. Mascherano gets warned, 15 mins later and he's gone. No pity from me.
Chris R, Bolton, Lancs
Well done Martin Samuel for highlighting the ridiculous comments by Andy Gray at half time, also well done to Jamie Redknapp for standing up to him. Do we really need ex footballers from another era with oversized egos giving so called expert analysis when we can all see the game. Andy Gray does the game no good at all by defending immature behaviour by players. No doubt Bobby Charlton and Denis Law were just as 'passionate' about the game but they knew where to draw the line. Maybe for Sports Relief next year we can give Andy Gray a whistle and see how he could referee a game.
David Smith, Liversedge,
We have gone from Poll being (wrongly) praised for not giving Rooney a 2nd yellow despite a tirade of verbal abuse (and I can't think of the standing of a referee ever being more undermined) – to Bennett acting like a 1950’s schoolmaster. I’m sure he would have preferred to make Mascherano stand in a corner with his back to the play! What saddens me is that I would bet before this season is out we’ll be back to the “clever refereeing that, letting him get it all of his chest†mentality. This is where the issues of consistency or lack of it arise. Not over a week or less but over a longer period of time. This is because the FA launches too many flavour-of-the-month directives which don’t last more than 6 weeks before we’re back to where we started. Remember the guideline to give the attacker the benefit in the offside law? Like all others it lasted 4 weeks before linesmen reverted to safety first – much to the detriment of football in general. I could list 10 other directives like it. W
Bill Best, Staplehurst Tonbridge, Kent
I find it sad that anyone is trying to defend Mascherano's infantile outburst. Dissent is dissent - the run across made his actions dissent. Off.
dominic, Teddington, Middlesex,
The lack of respect for referees conversation has been raging for a long time, and while i don't condone Mascherano's actions, is there now going to be consistency in booking every player that speaks out against the ref during a game? i presonally think it remains to be seen, because come this weekends round of games with the debate of respect for refs fresh in everyones minds, i cannot see every player that speaks out of tone against the ref (grass roots to premier league) getting a booking.
Unfortunately, i think the damage has already been done across the board and it is something that only consistent refereeing will cure.
One other question for anyone to answer, including yourself Martin, is it not disrespect when a player such a Ronaldo doesn't win a freekick from the ref the starts throwing a hissy fit? That's still mouthing off in my book.
Matthew Humphreys, Plymouth, UK
Laving aside his erudite insights into the Mascherano affair per se, thanks are due to Martin Samuel for his observations on both Andy Gray and Jamie Redknapp. I agree with his condemnation of Gray the dinosaur and his applause for Redknapp the brave and honourable man.
I have never been a fan of either of these two pundits but their conduct on Sunday was relevatory - Gray descended even further in my estimation while Redknapp's stock rose considerably
tom read, colchester,
Take time to look up the definition of staggeringly verbose . Unlike a situation where a referee fails to see something, like a handball - where it is possible to have every sympathy, this was a judgement issue. This referees was poor, inconsistant and immature. He allowed Torres (one of the few real men in the game who get up and keep playing when fouled) to be repeatedly cynically chopped - and failed to punish it, and when the victim (presumably) asked why? - booked him. Mascherano was wrong to get involved - everyone could see that - but it was 4 minutes to half time. He could have called the captain, and told him to get and keep the player away from him, and talked to the manager at half time. That would have kept the game alive, earned respect, not suffered loss of it, and stopped football turning into a prima-donna pantomime. Men in black can be prima-donna's too
Richard Sutton, Maidstone, Kent
Although not the main point of your argument,many thanks for highlighting Andy Gray's ignoble contribution to TV punditry. On soccer matters he's OK but his attitude towards officials is never less than hypercritical,usually quite unfairly.His perverse bigotry is totally unethical when he is supposed to be a reasonably unbiased commentator.Like you,I was impressed by Jamie who refused to be shouted down by the bigoted dinosaur but stood by a balanced and reasonable perception of the incidents.
I'll give you a way to solve the problem.The FA (how apt an acronym!) should make all managers,coaches,players and Andy Gray sit down and watch DVDs of any rugby match (League or Union) on a regular basis and then tell them:-"This is the attitude towards referees that we want. This is the respect for referees that we require and will insist upon from the start of next season".
Mature, responsible adults might emerge instead of the present arrogant,petulant children1
Frank Mellor, bardsea,ulverston,cumbria,
hi martin.
i am a big fan of yours.
i read many of your articles , sometimes i buy the times just to read your articles.
i began to sense that you a top class writer long before they started giving you the writer of the year awards.
i see your articles very wise and seeking to bring about new thinking in the game.
however on mascherano issue i hope your view is a bit one sided.
yes mascherano ran a long way to ask the ref , what happened? why?
these are the only words he uttered , we all lip read them , you seem to doubt that , i dont like to see that in you ,please rectify that.
the ref was weak, torres was kicked by scholes, not even attempting to win the ball, the ref was there, he did nothing, surely that was the turning point , because torres had to ask why? hes a human being he cant be kicked like that and you expect him to be queit.
shd refs book every player who asks why????
martin . football laws are permanent no weekly.
rashid, reading, berkshire
The referee was not consistent within the match let alone across the season. I think Steve Bennett had set out to make an example of one of the players following his public telling off by Keith Hackett and Mascherano obliged by asking 'whats going on'. Tackles of the same severity as Mascheranos were not being given yellow cards as his was, and other players who were asking questions were being spoken to not booked.
I have heard a lot of worrying comments about Argentinians in the last few days and it seems a lot of people don't care about the truth of the matter and are quite happy to see him hang because he is Argentinian. Ashley Cole did not receive this sort of treatment, and for worse behaviour, he must be laughing his head off.
Charlotte , ci,
I'm a teacher and my teaching style and the rules in my classroom are slightly different from all other teachers. That does not mean I'm better or worse as a teacher.
However the pupils figure out within the first lesson what they can get away with and what they can't. As long as it's not radically different from what other teachers accept there is no problem as their behaviour adapts to fit. There will always be one or two that push the boundaries and get punished. The rest soon learn.
Refs need to apply the laws of the game as they see fit and as Martin says, there will be slight discrepancies, but this should not be a problem if the players figure out who is reffing and what he lets go and doesn't let go. If the majority of 11 year olds can do it, you'd hope grown men could do it....
Or are they just spoilt kids who don't like being told off?
glyn, telford, shrops
Too much use of poetic license to make the point. Watch the incident again Martin. Where was the 25 yard sprint? 15 yard stroll would be nearer the mark. Don't let the facts get in the way of hyperbole
J Steele, Douglas, UK
I love the way everyone says "at Old Trafford" implying it wouldn't have happened anywhere else and especially not to a United player. These people have distorted veiws on this incident. If a ref tells you to sshhh, surely you would heed the warning. Especially after getting a yellow previously. The young lad lost his mind. Bennett is that type of ref, who will not allow players to doubt his authority.
I don't blame Rafa either for highlighting it, as although the match was still young, his team were losing on points. It was just a matter of time before United scored. Just like Wenger ranted about Nani. Man U are the best team in the country at the moment, the head to head results prove this. And if it weren't for a fluky late goal for Arsenal they would have maximum points from those fixtures.
I want to know what Mascheranos team mates thought afterwards?
s, Edinburgh,
Dear Martin, having read your article about the Mascherano incident, I have to interject and say that I believe you are wrong on this matter for the 3 reasons i am about to state:
1) Maschaerano deserved his first booking - and although he had been verbally going off in the match - Did that warrant Bennett giving him another yellow on the basis of 'complaning'. Bennett had it it in for him from the moment that yellow was issued and he was out of order for not 'talking' to him and calling Steven Gerrard over (where was he all game by the way?!) and telling him to CALM down!!
2) Torres has just been scythed down TWICE in 2 seconds and Bennett issued a free kick but NO BOOKING!! THEN Torres complains to Bennett and he gets BOOKED!! at Old Trafford!!! You dont mention in your article. I believe that was why he ran across to the referee and 'POLITELY' asked him 'whats happening' 3) Andy Gray asked the sensible question, can you not ask referees a question anymore? No then!
Thabani Nyoni, Herts, United Kingdom
Yes mascherano was wrong to get himself sent off.
Steven gerrard where were you the whole game?
your the captain you should have spoken to mascherano and told him to calm down but again against utd you were missing for 90 mins.As for benitez your tatics against the top sides in the epl are a joke.we were 1-0 down and u take off babbel for yossi benayoun.what will he bring? he has no pace like kuyt.babbel should have switched to the right. crouch on for kuyt. thats my criticism for liverpool.This was a massive game for both sides so tensions were running high,lets look at the bigger picture,if bennett would have been consitant for both sides then players dont get frustrated, how many bad tackles were scholes,anderson,vidic,ferdidand allowed get away without a booking?Martin Samuels watch the game again without your utd glasses on, look at all the free kicks given to either side and tell me if the refereeing was fair.it was frustration not dissent,ashley cole was dissent
paul, northampton,
Martin the point is well made. I didn’t see any Chelsea player running twenty five yards to assist Hutton who could easily have been as badly injured in the Cole incident as Eduardo was a week before, but plenty of them found their way to the referee. Equally I didn’t see any Liverpool player running 25 yards to prevent Mascherano provoking the inevitable red card. Quite apart from the absurdity of questioning a referee’s decision in less than complimentary terms, it’s an obvious tactic in modern football to ruin the run of play and disturb any momentum that was being generated, that’s something more than gamesmanship it’s cheating.
R Ferguson, Edinburgh,
It's not simply a question of consistency across the season, consistency in one game would be nice. Torres was so badly fouled during the game that he is unlikely to play for Spain this evening. Were any Man U players booked for that? No. Ronaldo throwing himself to the ground in the penalty area yet again. Was he booked for that? No. Rooney having a go at the ref yet again. Was he booked for that? No.
It will be interesting to see whether this "zero tolerance" approach is continued at all levels for the rest of the season. My bet is that it won't be.
Dan, London,
I watched the game in my local working men's pub with my brother. Five minutes after Masch had been booked and following his second or third rant at the ref my brother was straight on the mobile to his bookie placing a bet on Masch getting sent off. The odds were terrible so he didn't place the bet. But the point is; if my brother, and his bookie, could see what was going to happen, how come no one from Liverpool could.
Bill, Sheffield,
Its always easy to make an example of a foreigner... this would never have happened to an English player, much less of your so-called national team stars.
That being said, lets see more of this type of behaviour from referees.
Steven David, London,
Martin, If you want the players to continue to act like children then your analogy is apt. Remember though that the players too can use the same excuse as they too are creatures controlled by DNA and thus an impasse is reached.
If you truly want them to behave in a certain manner then the punishment for ALL transgressions must be consistent and consistently applied.
If the FA were to be consistent then Mascherano should serve his one-match ban and then they would articulate quite clearly the rules/code of conduct and punishments prior to next season rather than letting one thing happen on Wednesday and something quite the opposite four days later.
I believe though that The FA will demand their pound of flesh as they probably are products of the very same bad parenting that you have articulated in your article...
Jasbir S, Toronto, Canada
Couldn't agree more with "Michael H, Warsaw". Techno aids could so easily improve officiating as it does with other sports. Incorrect decisions adversely affect nearly every game in the EPL, mainly through faulty penalty decisions and yellow cards. Refs don't want aids, yet their failings are the direct cause of so much frustration on players and managers. As for only captains to speak with refs, that could improve things, except refs would have to allow it - something that is actively discouraged by most refs who wave all other players away in most games - how about the FA and Refs Assoc pointing out the shortcomings of that action.. A serious problem, often overlooked, is that refs know the rules, but don't understand the game (Shanks) - whatever happened to that useful concept known as "intent".
Padraig O'Ryan, Perth, Australia
Hi , I am a Liverpool fan and had the opinion right from the start of the game that Mascherano had a wasp up his bum , he seemed unsettled by something and appeared to be harranging the ref at every opportunity , it was down to someone in Liverpool team / management to get a grip of him or get him off the pitch before the inevitable happened , I mean come on , you do not have to watch every game to know that Bennett gives off the air of someone who likes people to "respect my authority " and unfortunately it was one of my teams players who got the bullet , but it is too tidy an excuse for a team to cling on to who has just been whooped 3-0 and deservedly so , poor performance once again from the reds , didn't look like they knew how to win and more importantly looked liked they thought they couldn't win . Maybe Mascherano felt this too and snapped , which ever way you look at it his sending off might hopefully make some players who seem to spend all day moaning think again
Dave Tole, Liverpool,
Great
Lets have one rule for one and one rule for another.
Rich people can get off from murder and the working class suffer for stealing a loaf of bread.
The whole idea of aplying rules is consistency.
If there is no consistency within a system then there will be rebellion.
That is why Mascherano flared up in the same way that the French did during their revolution.
Viva la Rebels.
Brendan, Warnambool, Australia
Due to the role that Mascherano plays within the Liverpool team he would probably fall into the least noticed of players category, just maybe he felt the time was right to rectify that with his look at me look at me attitude now that his 17 million pound transfer is secured and he's just notched his first goal for the club.
Tom, gold coast, Australia
The basic precept in applying any kind of legal code is fairness and consistency, that's why judges have sentencing guidelines, or to revisit your analogy, why a smart parent would punish both kids for playing an indoor tournament. Failure to do so results in a loss of respect for the code, from those it is supposed to govern. Since a code of conduct is in essence a contract, you can't really enforce it in the long-term without the willing cooperation of all parties. Hence, the continued insistence on a mythical state of infallibility for referees and the refusal by FIFA to consider any kind of technological aid only serves to exacerbate the problem of respect on the pitch. As does randomly booking players for dissent or celebration while letting dangerous play, like Cole's, remain basically unpunished. The real culprits are neither the players nor the referees, but the football authorities.
michael h, warsaw,
Excellent analogy Martin with lots of good points.
I watched the game for the first time last night having already known the outcome. As I watched the game i noted that Mascherano had behaved disrespectfully towards the referee several times before his 25 yard run and polite enquiry, including several swear words caught on camera. I noticed that the Referee warned him earlier by asking him to be quiet. (shh gesture) so it wasn't entirely out of the blue.
I also think Torres was also lucky not to receive a Red.
What are your thoughts on the captains role or applying a rugby sensibility to communication with the ref.
PS Was Gerrards name written in invisible ink on the team sheet because he disapeared in this game, including during this incident.
Paul G, sydney, Aus
blah, blah, blah - pundits are 2 a penny and opinions as worthwhile as a drunk down a pub. No offence Martin, honest guv.
Graeme, Pompey, Hants