Cheslea v Liverpool: Benitez urged FA to take a stand after Battle of the Bridge

Apr 30 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Javier Mascherano, Liverpool FC

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes the Football Association should make an example of Chelsea and Manchester United – just as they did with Javier Mascherano.

The Liverpool manager is expecting the governing body to act after the controversial meeting between the title-chasing duo at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

There were a number of flashpoints during the game, including United haranguing referee Alan Wiley over conceding the decisive penalty and players from both teams involved in an unseemly skirmish in the closing moments.

A number of United’s players were later involved in an ugly bust-up with Chelsea backroom staff during their warm-down after the match.

Benitez is still bitter that Mascherano was suspended for an additional two games following his contentious dismissal for dissent by Steve Bennett at Old Trafford last month.

And now the Spaniard has called on the FA to show consistency in cracking down on both Chelsea and United.

“After the incident with Mascherano, the FA gave him a three-match ban and said that we must give an example to everyone,” said Benitez.

“I am now waiting for the solution to what happened at Chelsea against Manchester United as the FA must now give another example to everyone.

“They must be fair. They set out then to give an example to all the kids watching, to show what behaviour in football must be like.

“I am talking about incidents during the game with the referee and about the problems after the game; the reaction with the referee of the players and afterwards with the staff.

“The incident with Mascherano was nothing and was made an example for everyone. Now I want to see another example. I want consistency from the FA.

“We will see now if it’s the same for everyone. I am referring to both Chelsea and Manchester United. I’m still bitter about the Mascherano incident.”