Pepe, 40, sent off for second time in 14 games for throwing fist at Sporting star… and even own boss can’t defend him
PEPE has been sent off for the second time in 14 games after throwing a fist at a Sporting Lisbon player.
The Porto defender is known for going into the referee’s book due to his hot-headed reputation.
Pepe, 40, was facing Sporting on Monday evening in a massive Primeira Liga clash.
The veteran defender lashed out at wing-back Matheus Reis while positioning the ball for a free-kick.
The Sporting star bumped into the back of the former Real Madrid man who then responded by swinging his fist backwards, catching his opponent’s face.
The incident was initially missed by referee João Pinheiro but was caught on a VAR check.
Pinheiro was left with little option but to give Pepe his marching orders for the 16th time in his career.
The Portuguese ace walked off sarcastically clapping the official.
Porto were already behind in the game as a former Coventry star Viktor Gyokeres netted in the first half.
Just nine minutes after Pepe’s red card the scoreline got worse as Pedro Goncalves bagged Sporting’s second goal.
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Porto boss Sérgio Conceição admitted that the decision was “correct” after the match.
The manager even claimed that he saw Reis “bleeding”, however, did insist that Pepe was “provoked”.
He said: “I see that the expulsion is correct.
“I didn’t see the play in detail, but I saw that Matheus Reis was bleeding. But there is always this huge provocation.
“Pepe is a man who has given us so much and will continue to do so. We are all with him.”
It is the second time this season that Pepe has seen red having been dismissed in the Supertaca against Benfica.