Javier Mascherano has hit back at reports this week
claiming that he reacted angrily in the media following his clash
with Jermain Defoe at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
The Argentine midfielder was quoted in several newspapers on Tuesday, in an apparent direct response to the incident during our 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, when former Hammer Defoe was accused of biting the 22-year-old on the arm after being fouled.
However, Javier has revealed that he made no comments at all to any sections of the press following the controversy, and has requested that the matter be cleared up once and for all.
"I feel that I have to speak out after what has appeared in certain parts of the media this week," says Javier. "Basically, it is a complete lie to suggest that I spoke to anyone in the media about the incident with Jermain Defoe during the match against Tottenham on Sunday.
"I have always believed that what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch. I can promise that I did not say a single word to anyone about the incident afterwards, and I really don't know where this story has come from.
"I don't have a problem with Jermain Defoe, and I would like to draw a line under the entire situation.
"All I am focused on is helping the team in whatever way I can. Obviously things are not going well at the moment, but the important thing is that we all stick together and fight to get through this period.
"It doesn't help when certain parts of the media create stories that are not true, and I hope that we can now forget about the whole situation and concentrate on winning our match against Blackburn on Sunday That is what everyone here wants."
The Argentine midfielder was quoted in several newspapers on Tuesday, in an apparent direct response to the incident during our 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, when former Hammer Defoe was accused of biting the 22-year-old on the arm after being fouled.
However, Javier has revealed that he made no comments at all to any sections of the press following the controversy, and has requested that the matter be cleared up once and for all.
"I feel that I have to speak out after what has appeared in certain parts of the media this week," says Javier. "Basically, it is a complete lie to suggest that I spoke to anyone in the media about the incident with Jermain Defoe during the match against Tottenham on Sunday.
"I have always believed that what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch. I can promise that I did not say a single word to anyone about the incident afterwards, and I really don't know where this story has come from.
"I don't have a problem with Jermain Defoe, and I would like to draw a line under the entire situation.
"All I am focused on is helping the team in whatever way I can. Obviously things are not going well at the moment, but the important thing is that we all stick together and fight to get through this period.
"It doesn't help when certain parts of the media create stories that are not true, and I hope that we can now forget about the whole situation and concentrate on winning our match against Blackburn on Sunday That is what everyone here wants."