Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at 5:55 PM• Dominic Mostert • Last update: 18:05

Pepe has to fear a heavy suspension, media in Portugal report. The FC Porto defender played a leading role against Sporting Portugal (2-2) on Friday evening in a fierce argument that lasted almost ten minutes. In the match report, referee João Pinheiro noted that Pepe gave a kick to an unnamed opponent’s director, a serious offense that carries a suspension of at least two months to a maximum of two years in Portugal.

The fight took place in the closing stages of the match. After a corner from FC Porto, João Palhinha cleared the ball in time before Pepe could possibly head in the 3-2. The veteran of os Dragões claimed to have been hit in the head, after which the flame hit the pan. Players and staff of FC Porto and Sporting got into a fight, while others tried to calm things down. The unrest moved from one side of the field to the other. There were even images showing how a steward of FC Porto deals a blow to Matheus Reis of the visitors.

In the end, João Pinheiro, the referee on duty at the Estádio do Dragão, drew a red card for a player four times. Pepe, Palhinha, Agustin Marchesin and Tabata could face suspension. That also applies to Sebastián Coates, who received his second yellow card of the game four minutes after the break. If found guilty of kicking an opponent’s director, Pepe could face a ban for months to years, even threatening the end of his career. Sporting attacker Tabata also has to fear a hefty penalty, because he is said to have pushed FC Porto director Luís Goncalves.