Pepe goes out swinging! Porto captain is sent off for a SIXTEENTH time in his career after wildly lashing out at Matheus Reis during his side’s 2-0 defeat at title rivals Sporting Lisbon
- Pepe was incensed after being sent off in a controversial VAR incident
- The defender swung his arm out at Matheus Reis as Porto slipped to defeat
- Emiliano Martinez embarrassed himself! He’s a top keeper and Aston Villa fans will love him, but why does he behave like an idiot? It’s All Kicking Off
Pepe was sent off as Porto lost a crunch Primeira Liga clash with Sporting CP on Monday night.
The 40-year-old – known as one of football’s hot-headed figures – was dismissed early in the second half after lashing out at Sporting wing-back Matheus Reis.
Reis crashed into the back of Pepe as he positioned the ball for a free-kick in his own half and the defender swung his arm out, catching his opponent in the face.
Pepe looked furious as Reis collapsed to the floor holding his face and after a VAR check, the Porto centre-back was sent off.
After receiving his marching orders for the 16th time in his career, he sarcastically clapped the referee and laughed to himself.
Pepe was sent off after lashing out at Matheus Reis, who had crashed in to the back of him
It was the 16th time Pepe has been sent off in his career- and the second this campaign
Your browser does not support iframes.
While he might claim to have retaliated for Reis steaming in to the back of him, it is hard to justify swinging his arm into the Sporting man’s face.
Porto were already 1-0 down after Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half opener, but within ten minutes of Pepe’s maverick moment, the deficit had doubled after Pedro Goncalves’ goal.
It was Pepe’s second sending-off of the season after his dismissal in Portugal’s version of the Community Shield – the Supertaca – against Benfica.
Porto sit third in the Portuguese top flight, three points behind Sporting and two behind Benfica after 14 games.
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Pepe is in his sixth season back at the Portuguese giants and is targeting a fifth title with them, having spent a stint at the club earlier in his career.
Last season they missed out on the Primeira Liga crown by two points as Benfica reclaimed it.
This year looks primed for another close tussle between the country’s big three, while Braga are not out of the mix as they are only two points behind Porto.
Source: Read Full Article
