West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
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Mascherano angry about bite

24 Oct 2006 - 09:26:42

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West Ham United midfielder Javier Mascherano is furious that Jermain Defoe escaped without a red card after biting him.

The Tottenham striker was only booked for sinking his teeth into the Argentinian's arm in retaliation to a poor tackle during the Hammers' 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Spurs boss Martin Jol subsequently tried to laugh off Defoe's actions by describing them as a "comical nibble", but Mascherano failed to see anything funny about the incident.

The 22-year-old told the Daily Mail: "My reaction was that this was not a joke. I have a mark on my arm and my reaction was not theatrical like the Spurs coach suggested.

"This whole incident was incredible. Never in my professional career have I witnessed action like this and I still don't understand why the referee has not shown the red card to Defoe.

"When I arrived in England journalists questioned me about the hard nature of Argentinian football.

"But I've never received a bite there and I never thought I would receive a bite in the Premiership.

"I had a face-to-face with Defoe in the game, but football is a sport for men, not those who want to bite."