There Was Controversy Both on and Off the Pitch in the Carling Cup With Authorities Likely to Investigate Two Incidents

Javier Mascherano could face a violent conduct charge from the Football Association after appearing to swing an arm and strike Jermaine Beckford on the back of his head during Liverpool's 1-0 Carling Cup win at Leeds United last night.

When Beckford appeared to pull Liverpool's Argentinian midfielder back at a throw-in, Mascherano swiveled, raised an arm and caught the striker on the head with a forearm. Beckford collapsed to the ground clutching his head but Alan Wiley, the referee, took no action and the forward played on.

It is unclear whether Wiley had a proper view of the incident. If he did, the FA cannot issue sanctions – in this case almost certainly a charge of violent conduct and a likely three-game suspension. But if the report Wiley submits to the governing body states he did not spot the blow, action can be taken on video evidence.

Rafael Benítez, Liverpool's manager, indicated he would defend any such charges. "I think it is just nothing," he said, explaining that Mascherano's indiscretion could not possibly be compared to the sort of bad tackles that frequently go unpunished. Simon Grayson, the Leeds manager, was sanguine but more cynical. "Mascherano's turned and put his arm up; it went a bit too high. I've looked at replays. I'm not saying it's malicious and I'm not saying it's not, you can't really tell. Some players have been sent off for that, some haven't, sometimes these things go your way, sometimes they don't."

They certainly did not fall for League One Leeds on a night when, shortly after his altercation with Beckford, Mascherano helped create the winning goal for David N'Gog.

Elsewhere in the Carling Cup the Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, said his midfielder Jason Euell was racially abused by a Stoke supporter during his team's 4-3 defeat. Stoke confirmed a man was thrown out of the ground after an incident involving Euell, who was an unused substitute, and that police had detained the fan and were investigating. Holloway said: "There was one horrible moment when a racist remark was made to Jason Euell. I have to thank the stewards because they fired him out of the ground as quickly as they could. I hope he is banned for life. He is a disgusting human being."