Pepe stamp whips up Clasico controversy
Updated: 2012-01-19 13:16
(Agencies)
|
|||||||||
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (C) is changelled by Real Madrid's Pepe (R) and Lassana Diarra during their Spanish King's Cup quarter-final first leg "El Clasico" soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Jan 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
MADRID - A stamp by Real Madrid's Pepe on Lionel Messi's hand had Jose Mourinho on the back foot after a 2-1 at home loss to Barcelona their King's Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
The Portugal international was seen to nudge into Messi when the World Player of the Year was on the floor after a tackle, then stood on his hand as he walked past around 20 minutes from the end of the game.
When asked about Pepe during the post match news conference, Real coach Mourinho first said he had not seen the incident.
A second reporter asked if Pepe's action would merit internal discipline from the club if he thought Pepe had stood on Messi's hand intentionally.
"Obviously if it is intentional, is it punishable," Mourinho replied.
Real's deployment of the robust centre back in a midfield destroyer role alongside Xabi Alonso and Lassana Diarra signaled their intentions in seeking to disrupt Barcelona's trademark link-up play and look for swift counter-attacks.
Pepe, sent off in the Champions League semi-finals against Barca last year, picked up a yellow card early in the first half after catching Sergio Busquets's foot with a late lunge.
Later, some theatrical play-acting after Cesc Fabregas's hand brushed across Pepe's body - rolling around clutching his face - drew derision from home fans, getting increasingly frustrated as Barca dominated.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring against Barcelona during their Spanish King's Cup quarter-final first leg "El Clasico" soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Jan 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
Moments later, Pepe clashed with Messi, drawing a tweet from Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, who said: "Pepe. What an idiot. Sometimes people wind u up."
Guardiola was asked about the incident but said: "The players have said something, but I haven't seen the images, there isn't a TV in the dressing room. It's up to you to comment on them."
Pepe's Portuguese compatriot Ricardo Carvalho, after a making a surprise return to the Madrid starting XI, defended his team mate.
"He plays near the limit sometimes," he said. "But he always tries to get the ball and plays cleanly."
Mourinho substituted Pepe before the end of the game to whistles from the Bernabeu crowd.
Barcelona's Carles Puyol (L) celebrates his goal near his team mate Cesc Fabregas against Real Madrid during their Spanish King's Cup quarter-final first leg "El Clasico" soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Jan 18, 2012. [Photo/Agencies] |
- 'Taken 2' grabs movie box office crown
- Rihanna's 'Diamonds' tops UK pop chart
- Fans get look at vintage Rolling Stones
- Celebrities attend Power of Women event
- Ang Lee breaks 'every rule' to make unlikely new Life of Pi film
- Rihanna almost thrown out of nightclub
- 'Dark Knight' wins weekend box office
- 'Total Recall' stars gather in Beverly Hills
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |