Pepe vented his anger after Portugal’s World Cup exit, aiming much of his frustration at a referee he claims shouldn’t have been appointed.
Morocco dumped Portugal out of the World Cup with a stunning 1-0 victory, making them the first ever African team to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Portugal haven’t left quietly though, with veteran centre-back Pepe voicing his displeasure with having Argentine referee Facundo Tello
officiate the game, presumably given the sporting rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (though his reasoning was not immediately clear).
“It was unacceptable to have an Argentine referee refereeing the game, after yesterday, with Messi talking, an Argentine comes and whistles,” Pepe vented at full-time. “In the second half, nothing was given, there were only eight minutes [of stoppage time]. We worked very hard, eight minutes, nothing was played. In the second half, we just wanted to play. We are sad, we had the quality to win, unfortunately we didn’t manage to do it.”
Portugal were stunned by Morocco, with Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half header proving to be the difference. Morocco held on for another hour, playing the last five minutes with 10-men after Walid Cheddira received two yellows in 60 seconds in added-time.
The Atlas Lions will face either England or France in the semi-finals.
Pepe : ‘Unacceptable ‘ that an Argentina refree oversaw Portugal’s World Cup loss
