Javier Mascherano sent off for kicking stretcher driver
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Argentina captain Javier Mascherano was sent off in incredible, and ridiculous, circumstances whilst playing in a 1-1 draw at Ecuador on Tuesday.
The incident happened in the 87th minute when he was being stretchered off the field after going down with an injury.
As the cart was driving off the pitch, Mascherano lashed out and aimed two kicks at the shoulder of the buggy driver.
The referee then showed him a straight red card, which shocked the notoriously short-tempered Mascherano.
Although the Barcelona midfielder initially protested his innocence, he later admitted his mistake.
He told reporters after the game: "One preaches non violence in our country and in this I was mistaken.
"I feel ashamed. I don't like to generate controversy. And I am big enough to admit my mistakes. This embarrasses me. Saddens me."
Mascherano added: "The stretcher buggy was going too fast and I was about to fall. I warned him (the driver) and he ignored me, but what I did was not justified."
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| Javier Mascherano is restrained by Argentina teammate Ezequiel Lavezzi after his sending off Photo: AFP |
The incident happened in the 87th minute when he was being stretchered off the field after going down with an injury.
As the cart was driving off the pitch, Mascherano lashed out and aimed two kicks at the shoulder of the buggy driver.
The referee then showed him a straight red card, which shocked the notoriously short-tempered Mascherano.
Although the Barcelona midfielder initially protested his innocence, he later admitted his mistake.
He told reporters after the game: "One preaches non violence in our country and in this I was mistaken.
"I feel ashamed. I don't like to generate controversy. And I am big enough to admit my mistakes. This embarrasses me. Saddens me."
Mascherano added: "The stretcher buggy was going too fast and I was about to fall. I warned him (the driver) and he ignored me, but what I did was not justified."
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