Primeira Liga: Pepe to face two years ban: The Porto defender and former Real Madrid star, Pepe could see a two-year ban from football. He was accused that he hid a bullet during the Friday night clash with Sporting Lisbon. However, the match ended in a 40 man brawl as players, staff, stewards and even the ball boys got involved. Follow InsideSport.IN for the latest sports news and updates.
Pepe was at the heart of 40-man brawl between Porto and Sporting Lisbon.
The referee handed out FOUR red cards after full-time 😳 pic.twitter.com/OuT3UiykNn
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 12, 2022
Primeira Liga: Former Real Madrid superstar Pepe could face two years ban from football – check why?
Pepe, the former defender for Real Madrid was the only high-profile individual involved in the incident. He has a reputation for winding up his opponents and also being disciplined. It was Pepe’s 13th red card overall but his first since returning Porto in 2019. It was also his first in a league match for any club since 2011, over a decade.
As soon as the final whistle blew, his good behavior vanished. Players and club staff were involved in a massive brawl with referee Pinheiro trying to calm the situation down. Pepe could now be facing a two-year ban as he kicked a director from Sporting. It is simply committing an act of violent conduct.
Pepe’s ban can be ranged from two months to two years as outlined by the Disciplinary Regulation of the League of Clubs. Article 145 states Pepe’s actions were a ‘very serious disciplinary offence’.
The referee Joao Pinheiro showed two red cards to two players from each side. Meanwhile, Sebastian Coates made a long way back to the dressing room for having received two yellow cards. Pepe and Agustin Marchesin saw red cards for Porto and Tabata and Joao Palhinha for Sporting Lisbon.
Primeira Liga: Former Real Madrid superstar Pepe could face two years ban from football – check why?
The name of the director from Sporting has not been revealed but Pepe was involved in an argument with Hugo Viana when he got the red card. Pepe will be celebrating his 39th birthday this month and if he is banned, then it would simply finish his playing career at this level.
But Pepe could be in more trouble as it is claimed that he hid a bullet earlier in the match. One was thrown from the stands onto the pitch. Pepe tried to his the bullets from the authorities and opposition players as well, but it somehow dropped on the pitch.
When it fell on the pitch, Sporting players demanded him to show it to the referee. In doing so, Ricardo Esgaio received a yellow card. The report from the League’s delegate mention that a bullet was caught by Pepe on the pitch. The officials kept the item after they were alerted by the players. It was then finally handed over to the League delegate by the referee. As for now, there is no such conclusive evidence that the item was a bullet.
Primeira Liga: Former Real Madrid superstar Pepe could face two years ban from football – check why?
After the incident, the Sporting Boss said, “Let there be the same investigation that was carried out with Nuno Santos and punish whosoever has to be punished. It’s a bad example but it’s everybody’s fault, not only of the players.”
Sporting president Frederico Varandas added, “This game reflects, for me, what the last 40 years of Portuguese Football have been. Of an era where Porto’s president is called Pinto da Costa.”
Sporting Lisbon won the Primeira Liga last season but were thrashed by Manchester City in the Round of 16 in the Champions League. They lost out to City by 5-0. They are still six points shy of Porto in the league after they threw a two-goal lead at Dragao.
Primeira Liga: Former Real Madrid superstar Pepe could face two years ban from football – check why?
