(dpa) - The Football Association (FA) announced Thursday that Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano will be banned for an additional two games and fined 15,000 pounds (29,800 dollars) for his reaction to being sent off against Manchester United last month.
The Argentina international was booked for a foul on Paul Scholes early on, and collected a second caution before half-time after protesting at a yellow card shown to team-mate Fernando Torres.
Being sent off for two yellow cards carries a one-match ban, but after Mascherano admitted a charge of improper conduct that was increased.
"Although we received a fair hearing we must now decide whether to appeal on the basis of inconsistency of sentencing for Javier based on past precedents," said a Liverpool spokesman.
Mascherano missed Sunday's 1-0 win over Everton, and will now sit out Saturday's Premier League match against Arsenal and the following Saturday's home match against Blackburn.
He will be free to face Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League next Tuesday, after playing his part in securing a 1-1 draw in the first leg.