Real to appeal Pepe´s 10-match ban

Real Madrid are planning to appeal the 10-match ban inflicted on their Portuguese international Pepe for his violent outburst against two Getafe players in a league game this week.

The suspension, handed down Friday by the Spanish Football Federation, will rule the 26-year-old Brazilian-born player out of Real’s last six league games of the season, including next weekend’s home game against arch rivals and league leaders Barcelona.

“What a catastrophe!” Real president Vincente Boluda said in a report in Saturday’s Marca sports daily.

“The punishment doesn’t match what happened on the pitch” added Boluda who said the club were planning to appeal the decision.

Pepe was sent off during Real’s 3-2 win at home over Getafe on Tuesday after he shoved Francisco Casquero to the ground to concede a late penalty and then brutally stamped on the midfielder several times.

He then palmed the angry Juan Albin in the face in the ensuing melee and insulted the referee.

Real, the defending Spanish champions, are in second place in the league with 75 points, six points behind leaders Barcelona.