Javier Mascherano condemns "attacks" on Manchester City's Carlos Tevez

Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano has lent his support to Argentina teammate Carlos Tevez by claiming that Manchester City's treatment of the striker has been "ugly".

The Premier League club yesterday revealed that the 27-year-old will face disciplinary action regarding his supposed refusal to play in the Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

Despite the allegations, the frontman has maintained that he was misunderstood and former Liverpool midfielder Mascherano believes Tevez does not deserve the criticism levelled at him.

"Carlitos has done so much for Man City that I think it is so ugly what they are doing to him now," The Sun quotes Mascherano as saying. "I can't believe what is going on.

"Everyone attacks him even when he can't defend himself. It is so unfair. But England is a complicated place because when something like this happens everyone attacks you."

Meanwhile, the North West side take on Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium this Saturday.