Football | Posted on Feb 12, 2012 at 04:40pm IST

Mascherano sent off after Barcelona defeat

Goal.com

Barcelona: Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano was sent off in the tunnel following a heated confrontation with the referee after his side's 3-2 loss to Osasuna on Saturday.

The former Liverpool man was yellow-carded on 88 minutes by Jose Romero for protesting a decision, but shortly after the game, he was shown a second yellow for a subsequent act of dissent towards the match official.

Romero also added in his post-match report that coach Pep Guardiola was penalised on the grounds of protesting in the latter stages of the encounter.

Mascherano sent off after Barcelona defeat
Getty Images

Barcelona remain seven points behind Real Madrid at the Primera Division summit, but could fall further behind if Madrid beat Levante on Sunday.

Gerard Pique, though, insisted that Barcelona have not given up hope of retaining their La Liga title in spite of Saturday night's shock defeat in Pamplona.

"We aren’t giving up on La Liga," the Spain international told the club's official website.

"The points difference keeps growing, but I ask the fans to stay by our side because we need them more than ever."

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