Video: Javier Mascherano sent off for kicking medic

Former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has received plenty of red cards over the years but the one during Argentina’s World Cup qualifier in Ecuador’s capital Quito, is by far the most bizarre.

With the score was tied at 1-1 and Mascherano got injured in the 87th minute. As he was being carried out of the pitch in a motorized cart, the Argentinian blatantly kicked the driver of the cart. The match official showed him the red card for the kick and a furious Mascherano had to be led off the pitch by his team-mates.

Later, the Barcelona player took to Twitter to apologize for the incident. His tweet read:

“I really apologize for the reaction I had, nothing justifies this. Great team work and effort!!”

“One preaches non-violence in our country, and in this I was mistaken. My reaction is not justified. I feel ashamed. The stretcher 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. I’m big enough to admit mistakes. I’m embarrassed, and saddened.”

Here’s a video of the incident: