1. Fight Club, v Getafe, 2009
For other players known for their short temper, punching, stamping, kicking and hair-pulling are normally spread across an entire career. Pepe managed to encompass all of these assaults within twenty seconds of one game.
In what was a completely incomprehensible incident, the Portuguese had just conceded a penalty against Getafe when he pushed Javi Casquero to the ground. As Casquero lay on the turf, Pepe ran towards him and aimed a succession of kicks at him. He then stood above him, grabbed his hair and pushed his head into the ground. As the referee brandished a red card, Getafe players ran towards Pepe to pull him away from Casquero. So, he stood on Casquero’s ankle. The he punched Juan Albin in the face. Afterwards, he said: “I’ve never felt like I did on Tuesday”. No one did.
Pepe was banned for ten matches.
2. Hand Of Trod, v Barcelona, 2012.
At the height of the heated rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the sides met in a Cope del Rey quarter-final and with just over twenty minutes to go, Lionel Messi went on a mazy dribble. His journey came towards goal came to a premature end when Jose Callejon took him out with a reducer.
As the Argentine lay on the ground (are we seeing a trend?), Pepe casually approached and stood on his hand. Just as casually, he then went to the referee to remonstrate about Callejon’s yellow card. Pepe was already on a booking when it happened but no further action was taken. To make matters worse, his behaviour was condemned on Twitter. By Wayne Rooney.
3. All In, v Levante, 2011.
Pepe is well capable of antagonising opponents all on his own. But sometimes his behaviour sparks a reaction from the entire opposing team. Like against Levante a few seasons back. In what was a bruising battle anyway, Pepe clashed with Xavi Torres, barging him to the ground before charging up the field like a man possessed. As he passed Torres, he flicked out with his foot (definite trend), catching him on the side of the head. But, as per any incident involving the Portuguese defender, it kicked-off a heated reaction from the Levante players. Pepe escaped with a yellow.
