/world sport
LONDON, England -- Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been given an extra 24 hours to respond to a charge of improper conduct.
Mascherano received his second yellow card for protesting against Fernando Torres' booking.
Mascherano, sent off by referee Steve Bennett in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday, now has until 1800 GMT on Friday, to give his version of events at Old Trafford.
The Argentine has been on international duty for his country, playing against Egypt in Cairo.
The date for the case -- scheduled to be heard by a regulatory commission -- has also been brought forward to Thursday April 3.
Mascherano was charged after officials studied his reaction to his dismissal for a second yellow card offense.
He had to be dragged from the pitch by coaching staff and colleagues after his 45th minute dismissal by Steve Bennett, who issued a second yellow because of the player's protests against Liverpool striker Fernando Torres being booked.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez agreed that Mascherano made a mistake in refusing to leave the pitch, but felt his sending off was harsh.
Mascherano can accept or deny the charge and also has the option of requesting a personal hearing.
He is currently serving a one-match suspension for the dismissal, which will keep him out of Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.
If the charge of improper conduct is upheld then he will also miss the Premier League games against Arsenal on April 5 and Blackburn eight days later.
The Champions League quarterfinal first and second legs against Arsenal on April 2 and 9 would not form part of any suspension. E-mail to a friend 
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