What the back pages of the papers say - April 4

Javier Mascherano has issued a public apology for his dissent towards referee Steve Bennett and indicated a willingness to accept the extended two-match ban and £15,000 fine dished out yesterday by the FA. Though Liverpool may yet appeal against the extent of his additional punishment, the Argentina midfielder was full of remorse as he reflected on his hearing before a disciplinary panel, acknowledging that he had been in the wrong.

Also: Champion trainer Paul Nicholls admitted last night that jockey Ruby Walsh was "steaming" with him after a tactical disagreement contributed to Kauto Star's second successive defeat on the opening day of Aintree's Grand National meeting.

THE TIMES

Martin Johnson has agreed in principle to take over as England team manager, The Times has learnt. Subject to finalising terms with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), his appointment should be ratified next week.

THE SUN

The ref at the centre of the Champions League row between Arsenal and Liverpool has hit back at suggestions he was doing a favour to a countryman. Dutch official Pieter Vink denied the Gunners a clear penalty after Holland striker Dirk Kuyt felled Alex Hleb.

Also: THE FA last night signalled the start of a major crackdown on dissent when they hit Liverpool loudmouth Javier Mascherano with an extra two-match ban and £15,000 fine.

DAILY MIRROR

Chelsea flop Mateja Kezman twisted the knife in the Blues' Champions League wounds last night as he taunted Avram Grant: "Jose Mourinho would never have lost that game." Serbian striker Kezman (right) barely got a kick as Chelsea dominated the first hour against Fenerbahce but missed a glut of chances in the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Also: Dirk Kuyt has ridiculed suggestions he was given preferential treatment during the Champions League showdown with Arsenal - even though he admits he does know the referee.

THE GUARDIAN

Rob Hayles last night broke his silence to speak of his "shock and horror" at the irregular blood finding that put paid to his participation in the world track championships, insisting that he had not used banned drugs and still intended to seek selection for the Beijing Olympics. The pursuit and madison rider was speaking after Dave Brailsford, British Cycling's performance director, said he was increasingly confident that the 35-year-old would be cleared of using drugs.

Also: Andrew Flintoff is as confident as he can be of bowling at full pace in Lancashire's first three championship games of the season to stake his claim for an immediate England recall in the first Test against New Zealand in May.

DAILY STAR

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has amazingly admitted he knows referee Pieter Vink. But he denied their old pals' act cost Arsenal a Champions League penalty.

Also: Furious Liverpool are set to appeal against Javier Mascherano's extra two-game ban because they think he has been made a scapegoat.

DAILY EXPRESS

Liverpool believe that Javier Mascherano has been made a scapegoat for Ashley Cole's disregard for authority and are ready to appeal against the FA's decision to hand him an extra two-game ban. Anfield officials have until noon today to launch their challenge and say there are discrepancies in how the authorities dealt with the Argentina international yesterday compared to previous cases.

Also: Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman believes his old team would never have crumbled under Jose Mourinho as they did against Fenerbahce on Wednesday.

THE INDEPENDENT

Max Mosley's future as the president of world motor sport's governing body, the FIA, is in increasing jeopardy following last Sunday's allegations in a tabloid newspaper. As Formula One convened for the first time since the report in the News of the World, four manufacturers have issued statements questioning whether he should stay on as head of the organisation.