Tv images show Pepe didn't touch Alves' leg (Video)

The play that changed the course of what was an evenly-fought match was not worthy of a red card

Much has been said and written concerning Pepe’s send-off against Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal, but an image speaks louder than words and video from Realmadrid TV clearly shows the player only touched the ball. Thirty minutes remained in the match and the referee sent Pepe off with a direct red card following a lose ball dispute between Alves and Pepe. The rest of the play has been publically scrutinized far and wide. Alves, who obviously appears to be in pain, abandons the pitch on a stretcher. After consulting with one of his assistants, German referee Wolfgang Stark shows Pepe the red card one minute after the play took place. Once he saw the decision made by the referee, Alves made his way back onto the pitch in full stride.

It wasn’t the only controversial play of the match, however. Arbeloa and Pedro were involved in another incident. Thirty-nine minutes into the first half, the Madridista defender blocked Barcelona forward’s running lane. There was shoulder-to-shoulder contact, but no aggressive intent. Pedro fell to the turf and clutched his face, and the entire Barcelona bench stood up to continue protesting for the foul.

An ugly gesture that appears to have become a constant. Look no further than the images of the incident between Marcelo and Busquets five minute earlier; another lose ball and again, the Barcelona player ends up on the turf. It wasn’t Alves this time, but Busquets. The dive is just as obvious as Marcelo’s expression of surprise. Marcelo protects the ball with his body and Busquets goes over the Madridista defender's back and blatantly falls to the floor with his hands over his face. Another unsportsmanlike gesture and more fuel to the fire for the referee to deal with. It lasted for 90 minutes as millions around the world watched on the small screen.

The sports world cries out
Rio Ferdinand: "This diving is a joke/embarrassing. When Pedro watches that do you think he'll think, "What was I doing!?" Rugby players must laugh at football. If you ever see me go off on a stretcher then run back on to play, I give everyone on here the green light to him me with a two-footed tackle."

Michael Owen: "Alves' actions won't please many as if he had got straight up it would have been a yellow card, but Barça fans will be happy with his actions."

Rory Mcilroy: "Dani Alves, you are a disgrace. Roll about on the floor just a bit more!"

Chad Ochocinco: "I can't believe they just gave Pepe a red card for that."

Real Madrid Players support the ELA Association(Photo Gallery)

Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid joined forces once again with the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA). The legendary player inaugurated ELA-Spain in 2005 with friiend and former team-mate Raul Gonzalez. Several children who have the illness visited Valdebebas on Friday and had a chance to meet their idols. In the next couple of days they will take the Stadium Tour with Zidane and will see the banner of their association held by the players on the pitch right before the Real Madrid-Valladolid match kicks-off.

Real Madrid will use their match against Valladolid to spread awareness on the fight against leukodystrophy.

Children with the illness witll see the game live at the stadium with ELA Founding Chairman Guy Alba and ELA-Spain Chairman Bienvenido Corral.

Lukodystrophy destroys myelin (a layer that covers up nerves) in the central nervous system and gradually paralizes vital biological processes. It is currently incurable. Ever since its foundation in 1992, the ELA has tried to make people aware of the illness, to support families of people who suffer from it and to finance scientific research. The ELA has founded 317 research programmes, spending a total of 25.2 millon euros.

The Association's fight is beginnig to get its first results; current research results bring hope and allow scientists to believe that the illness may be treated in the future.

Pepe suspended for ten matches,Real Madrid will appeal

Pepe has been suspended for ten matches by the Committee Competition for his violent acts against Getafe during the week.

The Portuguese player was guilty of kicking Javier Casquero, punching Juan Albin and also verbally abusing the officials as he was taken from the pitch.

He will now be out for the rest of the season and will play no further part in the title chase as Madrid look to close the gap on Barcelona at the top of the table.

With six games left this season the defender will also miss the first four matches of the next campaign.

There was good news from the Committee too though as Gonzalo Higuain had the yellow card that he picked up against Getafe rescinded.

That booking was the fifth of the season for the Argentine and he would have been suspended for the game with Sevilla this weekend, but will now be free to play.

Higuain is the top scorer for Madrid and his goal in the dying moments on Tuesday kept up the pressure on Barcelona at the top of the table.

Him scoring might well have landed Pepe in more hot water though as he ran onto the pitch to celebrate the goal, after he had already been dismissed.

Real Madrid are likely to appeal the decision by the Committee and they will have ten days to do so.

Pepe:No desire to return to football

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe stole the headlines this week for all the wrong reasons after he went berserk during his side’s pulsating 3-2 win over Getafe on Tuesday night.

Having apologized profusely immediately following the game for his on-field assault on his opponent, Javier Casquero, the Portuguese has now broken his silence after taking some time off to reflect on the incident.

“These are the worst days of my life. I do not have any desire to return to playing football,” he said in an interview with Marca from his home in the Spanish capital.

“I have seen the replays of the incident, but I do not recognize myself. I lost my cool and I went crazy, but that is not me.

“The worst punishment is going through what I’m experiencing now. If I see that there’s no chance of me returning to football again, then I will try something else.”

Pepe is expected to be handed a significant suspension and fine by the league and by his own club, which could effectively end his season and Madrid career - especially if the new administration decides to give him the axe.

Pepe Says, Ronaldo is Looking Forward to Join Real Madrid

For over the last couple of months the issue regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s future and his speculated move to Real Madrid from Manchester Untied has been the centre of attention in European club football. Real Madrid has already found their record offer rejected by Manchester United in their pursuit to sign the Portuguese star. However, Ronaldo already expressed his wish to play for Real Madrid for a number of occasions.
Recently, Ronaldo’s Portugal national teammate and Real Madrid defender Pepe said that he had talks with Ronaldo about his move to Real. According to Pepe, Ronaldo was keen to join the Spanish club. Pepe also added that Ronaldo was looking forward to join Real Madrid knowing the greatness of the club.
However, Manchester United chief executive David Gill made it clear that the club owner, the Glazer family, is not interested to sell the Portuguese star to Real Madrid.