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Defoe hits back at 'bite' reports Defoe hits back at 'bite' reports
(10 minutes later)
Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe has issued his own statement following the apparent biting episode on West Ham's Javier Mascherano. Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has insisted that the apparent biting incident in Sunday's game with West Ham has been "blown out of all proportion".
Defoe, who was booked for his reaction which came after he was fouled by Mascherano, claims the incident has been "blown out of all proportion". He seemed to bite the arm of West Ham's Javier Mascherano after he was fouled by the midfielder and both were booked.
He said: "The referee was standing over me and if he felt I had done something bad he would have sent me off." "The referee was standing over me and if he felt I had done something bad he would have sent me off," said Defoe.
Defoe went on to say: "The incident doesn't look great on TV." "It doesn't look great on TV and I accept that I have a responsibility to conduct myself in the right way."
Meanwhile, sports minister Richard Caborn wants the Football Association to examine the an incident.Meanwhile, sports minister Richard Caborn wants the Football Association to examine the an incident.
Caborn told The Times: "Any action like this I hope the authorities will decide on. Players in these positions have a responsibility to set a good example."Caborn told The Times: "Any action like this I hope the authorities will decide on. Players in these positions have a responsibility to set a good example."
But the FA may not take further action because Defoe was booked at the time.But the FA may not take further action because Defoe was booked at the time.
Mascherano also received a yellow card for his part in the incident, which came towards the end of the first half of Tottenham's 1-0 win at White Hart Lane. The incident came towards the end of the first half of Tottenham's 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.
Spurs boss Martin Jol described Defoe's bite as a "comical nibble".Spurs boss Martin Jol described Defoe's bite as a "comical nibble".
In today's game, he could have been sent off West Ham boss Alan PardewIn today's game, he could have been sent off West Ham boss Alan Pardew
"He was nibbling his arm - there will be no mark. Ask Mascherano if he has got a mark," said Jol."He was nibbling his arm - there will be no mark. Ask Mascherano if he has got a mark," said Jol.
"It is part of the game. They kicked him three times from behind in 10 minutes and he wanted to show his frustration in a nice, comical way.""It is part of the game. They kicked him three times from behind in 10 minutes and he wanted to show his frustration in a nice, comical way."
However, Hammers boss Alan Pardew, who saw his side slide to a fifth straight Premiership defeat, did not see the funny side.However, Hammers boss Alan Pardew, who saw his side slide to a fifth straight Premiership defeat, did not see the funny side.
"Mascherano brought him down from behind and that was definitely a booking," he said."Mascherano brought him down from behind and that was definitely a booking," he said.
"I didn't quite see the reaction from Jermain but it looked like he gestured towards Mascherano but whether there was any contact I don't know."I didn't quite see the reaction from Jermain but it looked like he gestured towards Mascherano but whether there was any contact I don't know.
"In today's game he could have gone. If he was sent off there, it would have changed the game.""In today's game he could have gone. If he was sent off there, it would have changed the game."