Mascherano criticises Defoe for biting

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 English Football Association cannot take retrospective action.

But Mascherano 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."

"My reaction was that this was not a joke," he told a British newspaper. "I have a mark on my arm and my reaction was not theatrical like the Spurs coach (Martin Jol) 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."