Javier Mascherano slapped with two-match ban for insulting referee
Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano has been handed a two-match ban for insulting an assistant referee during his side’s 3-1 win over Eibar at the Nou Camp on Sunday, the club’s official website confirmed. Mascherano will miss Barca’s next two La Liga matches against Getafe and Villareal, but importantly, he will be available for El Clasico clash at Santiago Bernabeu on November 21.
The 31-year-old secured the much needed three points along with his teammates against Eibar at home last weekend, but the Argentinian did not last the whole game as he was dismissed by referee Carlos del Cerro Grande late in the match.
The former Liverpool player used the phrase “La concha de tu madre”, which is a South American phrase for – “Your mother is a whore” on the linesman. Spanish FA has considered the player’s comment to be contemptuous but not a direct insult and served him the minimum sentence.
According to Mascherano, he was shouting in frustration and not aiming an insult at anyone in particular. For this offence, the Barca defender who was expected to be banned for four games, including the highly anticipated clash against rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu next month.
However, the disciplinary committee has considered the comments on the linesman to be “belittling” and has decided to slap him with a minimum of two-match ban. The Argentina international will now be left out of the squad for the Catalan side’s next two fixtures against Getafe and the home game against Villareal.
For this ‘ill on-pitch behaviour’, Mascherano now joins teammate Gerard Pique, who was sidelined for four games earlier this season after he was found guilty of insulting an assistant referee during the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Atletic Bilbao. While Elche defender, Damian Suarez was also given the same punishment two years ago for using the same words in a Segunda Division clash with Barca B.
There is improvement in behaviour among the players: Luis Enrique
The Spanish champions played their Copa del Rey match against third-tier Villanovense on Wednesday which ended in a goalless draw. Prior to this fixture, the club manager had insisted in an interview that there is an improvement in behaviour among the players following the recent incidents to Mascherano and Pique, Daily Mail reported.
“I'll just accept the ban. I won't comment before or after and I won't dwell on it anymore.” he said.
“I spoke with Masche and the whole team.”
“I think there is an improvement in behaviour among the players and I don't think there is any behaviour different to the normal protests that happen in a match and takes place with all teams.”
“My job is to deal with the obstacles that you come across during a campaign and that is what we are doing.”