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 furious after being sent off in a controversial VAR incident
- The defender waved his arm to Matheus Reis as Porto went into defeat
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Pepe was sent off after Porto lost their Primeira Liga match against Sporting Lisbon on Monday evening.
The 40-year-old – known as one of football's hot-headed figures – was dismissed early in the second half after lunging at Sporting full-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 and caught his opponent in the face.
Pepe looked furious as Reis collapsed to the ground 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's hands and laughed to himself.
Pepe was sent off after lashing out at Matheus Reis, who had crashed behind him
It was the 16th time Pepe has been sent off in his career, and the second time this campaign
While he could claim revenge for Reis steamrolling after him, it's hard to justify swinging his arm in the Sporting man's face.
Porto were already 1-0 down after Viktor Gyokeres' first-half opener, but within ten minutes of Pepe's quirky moment the deficit had doubled following Pedro Goncalves' goal.
It was Pepe's second send-off of the season after his dismissal in Portugal's version of the Community Shield – the Supertaca – against Benfica.
Porto are third in the Portuguese top flight, three points behind Sporting and two behind Benfica after fourteen games.
Pepe was in disbelief after receiving his first yellow card in the first half on Monday
Pepe is in his sixth season with the Portuguese giants and is aiming for a fifth title with them, having spent a spell at the club earlier in his career.
Last season they missed out on the Primeira Liga title by two points, when Benfica regained it.
This year looks set for another battle between the country's big three, while Braga is not out of the mix as it trails Porto by just two points.