Friday, December 04, 2009

Liverpool FC Refuse To Release Javier Mascherano For Argentina’s Friendly Against Catalunya


Liverpool have refused to release Javier Mascherano for Argentina’s friendly against Catalunya later this month.

The midfielder, who is skipper of his country, was named by Diego Maradona in the squad for the showpiece match, which takes place on December 22.

But with Catalunya, who are coached by Johan Cruyff, an autonomous Spanish region and not a country, the fixture is not recognised by FIFA.

And that has prompted Liverpool to withdraw Mascherano, given the fixture comes between the Premier League visit to Portsmouth on December 19 and the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

Mascherano has been replaced in the squad by Esteban Cambiasso of Inter Milan, with Argentina expecting further withdrawals.

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