Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano is facing a four-match ban and the prospect of missing the first El Clasico of the season for his explicit exchange with a linesman in their 3-1 win against Eibar on Sunday.
Mascherano, 31, was shown a straight red card in the win after directing insults towards one of referee Carlos del Cerro Grande’s assistants.
“Mascherano was sent off for addressing my assistant in the following way: ‘La concha de tu madre’, Marca quotes the referee’s report as saying.
If La Liga are to ensure continuity in their decision making process then Mascherano could be facing a four-match ban after Getafe defender Damian Suarez received a ban after committing a similar offence last season.
This would rule the Argentina international out of the first El Clasico of the season. Mascherano’s ability to break up the play is something that the La Liga champions will sorely miss when they travel to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Indeed, the Argentine versatile defender has completed at least eight more tackles and interceptions combined than any of his Barcelona teammates in La Liga this season.
For more stats on Javier Mascherano, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
