Mascherano not happy with Defoe

24 oktober 2006, 09:15

Koen Freriks

Javier Mascherano has hit back at Jermain Defoe after the Tottenham striker's alleged bite on the West Ham midfielder.

Defoe is set to escape further punishment after receiving a yellow card for reacting angrily to a challenge from behind by the Argentinian midfielder, which, under FIFA regulations, means the Football Association cannot take retrospective action.

Mascherano, however, has criticised Defoe, claiming his opponent was lucky not to have been sent off and refuted Spurs coach Martin Jol's assertion the incident was a "comical nibble".

He told The Daily Mail: "My reaction was that this was not a joke.