Javier Mascherano found himself at the center of controversy following his ejection in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal, where Inter Miami defeated Tigres UANL 2-1 at home. The uproar focused on the location he chose in a section of the stands close to the bench, from where he continued giving instructions to both his coaching staff and players.
Mascherano defended his actions, saying the league provided no specific guidelines on where a coach must be positioned after an ejection, and that had his location been prohibited, he would have been instructed to leave.
Amid the controversy, the Leagues Cup announced the disciplinary measures against Mascherano: a one-match suspension, which will prevent him from being on the sideline for the semifinal, and a financial fine.
The amount of the fine was not publicly disclosed but, according to journalist Jose Armando Rodriguez, has already been communicated to both the club and the coach.
Rodriguez also noted that the referee’s report, which the Leagues Cup used to justify the sanction, cited Mascherano’s use of “offensive and abusive language” toward the match officials.
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Mascherano explains his ejection
When asked about the reasons for his red card, Mascherano acknowledged speaking forcefully to the referees but denied issuing any insults. “There was a discussion at the end of the first half because the referee had added four minutes, but six were played. I argued with the fourth official. I didn’t insult him, but I did argue with considerable force,” he explained.
He added, “I went to the locker room and was told, ‘Be careful because the referee could caution or send you off.’ After halftime, I returned to the bench, sat down, and the referee came and showed me the red card”.
Leagues Cup rules
According to Leagues Cup regulations, when a coach is ejected, they “may only remain in the locker rooms, team suites, or in a spectator-isolated area approved by the Organizing Committee”.
However, following the match against Tigres, the Leagues Cup issued a statement addressing the controversy: “The Inter Miami coach was in a designated area in accordance with the tournament regulations. Cell phone communications are not prohibited under the Leagues Cup regulations. Please note that actions are reviewed by the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee,” read the statement cited by Rodriguez.
