Pepe Apologizes in an Official Statement Released by the Club
Now this is classy. This is what makes the difference between Messi shooting the ball to the stands without apologizing and what Pepe did yesterday:
Official Statement is in spanish, translation here:
"Regarding the play with Leo Messi, I want to say that is has been an unintentional act. But anyway, if Messi feels disrespected by it I apologize because what I pretend is to defend my team and my institution. I give all I have, body and soul, and hurting a partner would never come to my mind".
4 months ago
Lucas Navarrete
44 comments
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Comments
You're kidding, right?
“I’m sorry if I offended anyone” — my parents quickly corrected me of this type of pseudo-apology when I was seven years-old.
There wasn’t significant outcry for a ban with the Messi kick out of bounds. With Pepe’s? Heck, everywhere from Goal.com to Sports Illustrated is covering the story.
by Jeremy Seyfried Clemmons on Jan 19, 2012 10:07 PM CET reply actions
If he is apologizing, bad because he doesn't mean it.
If he doesn’t, bad because he has not said sorry.
Better than nothing, if you ask me.
Hasta el final, vamos Real.
by Lucas Navarrete on Jan 19, 2012 10:11 PM CET up reply actions
No, that's not it at all.
The whole “he’s apologizing so he must be sincere/contrite/etc” is now an unfortunate sports cliche in the era of public relations, team management, and 24/7 new coverage.
For me, this is worse. It’s not a “I’m not going to apologize because I meant what I did”…it’s a “I’m going to apologize for YOU GUYS being offended about something I DIDN’T DO” How is being passionate about your team even an excuse…if you’re claiming you DIDN"T STEP ON HIS HAND PURPOSELY. For me, that’s the telling part of the apologetic lie.
by Jeremy Seyfried Clemmons on Jan 19, 2012 10:47 PM CET up reply actions
Now, come on!
He commited a mistake, we all agree on that, but not that he retired anybody from soccer or anything. We’ve seen many plays like that on Barça’s side as well, like these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuk46NZ90Gc
And what was the thing behind them? Anything, so why do you feel the need of going that hard on Pepe? I repeat, you all speak like he just ruined someone’s career or life, and I admit he was wrong by doing so, but come on, let’s apply some common sense for once, this is madness.
Hasta el final, vamos Real.
by Lucas Navarrete on Jan 19, 2012 11:41 PM CET up reply actions
You're projecting here.
For example:
“Anything, so why do you feel the need of going that hard on Pepe? I repeat, you all speak like he just ruined someone’s career or life, and I admit he was wrong by doing so, but come on, let’s apply some common sense for once, this is madness.”
…by saying that his apology is half-assed I’m going “hard on Pepe?” Really? Surely Barcelona has done terrible things as well — I don’t see how anybody can argue otherwise — but we’re talking about this incident, the one that happened yesterday. Not one from eight years ago, three years ago, last season, etc. Get over your bias. He made a mistake and will (likely) get punished for it. Fair enough.
by Jeremy Seyfried Clemmons on Jan 19, 2012 11:52 PM CET up reply actions
I was not refering to you specifically mate.
I meant the whole “soccer world” was taking Pepe’s action out of hand, I didn’t mean that you were the one doing it.
We can all agree, he made wrong. That’s absolutely undeniable. But (and that’s a big but) I really believe this apologize (whether it’s truthful or not) is better than nothing. I reallly think this is better than him just sitting in his house without doing anything about it.
If he didn’t mean the excuse then the club made him apologize, which I think we can all agree is a good thing.
And if he did meant the video, that’s on him, and that is a good thing as well.
What I think is that the “play” was very bad, but this video/apologize doesn’t harm at all, instead, I believe it helps.
And what I meant about “going that hard on Pepe” is the whole story in the media. It might not have reached you, but I live in Spain and man, this issue is opening every news program and you can read below what Marca had to say about it. Unfortunately, football is always a dirty sport and you have many (very many) cases similar to this one, but no one has gotten close to it media-wise. That’s what I’m tired about.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Hasta el final, vamos Real.
by Lucas Navarrete on Jan 20, 2012 8:44 AM CET up reply actions
From India
Here, Least viewed local regional language channel is also covering this. And they didnt even talk about final scoreline (LOL).
They dont even know what copa del ray is…
LOL - ROFL
Ha Ha ha ha Ha Ha ha ha Ha Ha ha ha Ha Ha ha ha
If that was unintentional, then I am GOD.
I think he was forced to say this by team management because of Marca’s article.
We must accept defeat, failure and criticism. Thats the only way we will get better.
Hala Madrid
Exactly.
Madrid supporters need to accept that this was a mistake, not trying to find convenient excuses and apologies — this reeks of partisanship.
by Jeremy Seyfried Clemmons on Jan 19, 2012 11:54 PM CET up reply actions
This is embarrassing...
Who he should be appologising to is the Madrid fans who have been let down by his actions. Surely he at least owes them that much. To claim it was unintentional is joke…
I’m just surprised he didn’t ‘unintentionally’ go for Messi’s left foot…?
Read my answer to Jeremy.
You are making too big of a deal out of this.
Hasta el final, vamos Real.
by Lucas Navarrete on Jan 19, 2012 11:42 PM CET up reply actions
..and you're accepting PR answers as sincerity.
by Jeremy Seyfried Clemmons on Jan 19, 2012 11:55 PM CET up reply actions
Let's all settle down
Enough with these attacking comments. Don’t come to our blog to try to pick fights with our writers—for now, stick to your side and we’ll stick to ours. Then, when this whole thing has calmed down, we can address it all with a level head.
Editor-in-Chief of Managing Madrid
@GabeLezra
Fair enough.
Although, frankly, I’m a bit confused on what are my “attacking comments,” seeing as I was a) rather level-headedly responding to a comment made by Pepe b) have been a rather sizable fan of Madrid’s football on a number of occasions. If Madristas — and blaugranes, for that matter — can’t simply entertain a rather innocent discussion of media response, football tactics, etc. then I’m not sure what exactly is the point of SBNation, unless it’s simply for insulated fandom and nothing else. Apparently, that’s not the case for a lot of people, given that even a Madrid fan has agreed with my responses.
But I’ll happily crawl back to the Barcelona section.
by Jeremy Seyfried Clemmons on Jan 20, 2012 12:25 AM CET up reply actions 1 recs
Ok cool
Sorry if you thought I was trying to pick a fight. My arguement was fully directed at Pepe – not MM’s writers, whom I have no issue with whatsoever. In my mind Pepe very clearly overstepped the mark – but, your right, this is the wrong place for me to air my views. Sorry.
From an outsider looking in.
There was no attacking comments made here. If you want ‘true attacking comments’ then go to a NFL rivalry thread. I thoroughly like the discussion on this blog because it is very level headed, to the point, and smart comments are made. Alas, if American football fans were like his. But nothing here is malicious or attacking. Let them discuss and debate. It’s the whole point of SBNation.
"This team (Philadelphia Eagles) gives me the best chance of winning a Super Bowl."
-Michael Vick #7
If it was crazy this week....
Imagine what it’s gonna be like next week.
by MychalShannon1 on Jan 20, 2012 12:27 AM CET reply actions
This is being blown up a bit because Pepe is a repeat offender
It sucks that it happened regardless of his intent. Now lets just move on to the next game
I'm not making this a big deal.....
but that is a classic non-apology. Denies he did anything wrong to begin with, then “if he feels disrespected”, which tries to turn it into Messi’s problem.
I have nothing against Pepe, I think he’s a very good player and a very hard worker. But the fact is that even if “hurting a partner would never come to mind”, he has an excessively reckless style that does create more than its fair share of opponent injuries. He’s not de Jong, but he’s no angel like he tries to portray himself as.
Again, no big deal, just something I found a bit interesting.
Thank you pepe
Your apology is accepted by this real madrid fan, I hope he can contain his temper in the future. No more disgusting antics like this. Apart from his reprehesible behaviour, Pepe did a very good job as a defensive midfielder and he neutralized Messi, Sanchez with ease. It was just Alintop that couldn’t get a hold of Iniesta and thats where all the problems were committed.
By the way the video in itself is not proof enough on whether his stump was intentional but for him to come out and apologize that is what sets Madrid apart from those at Barcelona.
There is no need to criticize him, what is important is that he knows he let a lot of Madrid fans down with his antics in the last Classico.
We are Real Madrid
All of you who are saying, “Barca has done far worse” : you are correct. However, we are Real Madrid and are held to a higher standard. Pepe’s actions during this Clasico were embarrassing. His play acting was just as bad as the stomp.
No longer can we hold our heads high and say it is only Barca who simulate.
by Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite on Jan 20, 2012 3:38 PM CET reply actions
Whether or not Pepe was sincere about the apology is one thing.
But the organization making him apologize is a good thing (as I am sure they forced him to). There is no harm in apologizing this way.
Madrid fans can feel let down by that. I personally don’t like “plays” like that. I get so angry at Di Maria when he flops like a fish when someone touches him and I hate Pepe’s antics. But this is my team and I will support them even if it makes me sound bias.
I ADMIT what he did is wrong, but everytime he wear that jersey and goes on the field I will SUPPORT him. That’s what being a fan is all about.
Who cares if that apology was genuine from Pepe himself, the organization did what it needs to do in order to clean up some of that small mess.
by Los Blancos Chicca on Jan 20, 2012 4:50 PM CET reply actions 1 recs
^ This
Very well said.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Staff writer for Managing Madrid & Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Jan 20, 2012 5:01 PM CET up reply actions
classy??
please explain where the class is in pepe’s “apology” ? not even your child of a manager would say something like that. i take that back actually-he would. yes i am a barca fan but i come to this site because i love madrid as an enemy. an in form madrid side scares the shit out me. i respect your club and its supporters. i enjoy shaking the hands of my madrid friends and saying good match. your manager has taken the class out of your club and im afraid its infecting its supporters as well. this classy pepe thing is a perfect example of the influence this guy has over madristas. stand up to this child and bring back the madrid that wins and loses with dignity. you are the second best club in the world. be proud of that. and please ricardo—barca was never the only club who simulates. if you know football at all you know this is not true. every club does it and nobody likes it. di maria, ronaldo, dani alves, busquets, pepe, ect ect……
rm fan said it best. respect to you. i hope wed return is a football match and nothing else. best of luck to you madristas.
by impossibletriangles on Jan 20, 2012 5:43 PM CET reply actions
Yes it’s classy because he didn’t have to do it yet he did and the club acknowledged the situation publicly through their website by making an example of him, not by some random tweets on his twitter account.
There is a difference between individual players diving and a club actively promoting diving in their culture, Diving at Madrid is done by a couple of individual players namely (Dimaria) not like Barca’s club culture, where we have Pedro, Alves, Sanchez, Busquets, Adriano, Villa, Iniesta, the argentinian captain if forgot his name, pique and even messi was yellow carded this season for diving in the penalty box………….. These players are told to dive to retain possession of the ball and get opponents carded off the field.
AdmittedlyPepe went a little nuts in the last clasico, even though he displayed some shameful behaviour he still was one of the better players on the field I’ve never seen Messi so helpless in attack.
Interesting that you joined today, and the only post is here..
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Staff writer for Managing Madrid & Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Jan 20, 2012 7:52 PM CET up reply actions
hey timm
why is it interesting that i just joined today and my only post is here?
by impossibletriangles on Jan 20, 2012 8:09 PM CET reply actions
Usually that is the sign of trolling...
..but I’ve read your comment and you’re not.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Staff writer for Managing Madrid & Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Jan 20, 2012 9:01 PM CET up reply actions
oh
had to look up trolling. i am not here to gloat or start any bickering. just was wondering how anyone could see class in pepe’s bs apology. my guess is most madristas don’t.
by impossibletriangles on Jan 20, 2012 10:38 PM CET reply actions 1 recs
Let me explain a little about what's going on with this whole thing from our point of view.
I can’t speak for all of Managing Madrid, and much less for the whole body of Real Madrid fans, but I’m going to give this my best shot.
First, I’m not happy with Pepe’s antics at the Clasico. If he stepped on Messi’s hand intentionally, as he probably did, he should be ashamed of himself and fined/punished. His diving, while common among others (on our team and on Barcelona) is aggravating because it was done so blatantly, and with such little regard for the team’s appearance.
However: I am extremely upset about the way this whole thing has been approached, both by the Spanish media, and by some Barcelona fans. The media, and in particular MARCA, has begun a righteous crusade against Pepe and Mourinho, and have made use in this crusade of countless logical fallacies, xenophobic and racist argument structures, and utter hypocrisy.
Their logical fallacies have consisted, in large part, of arguing that no “real” Madrid fan could suport Mourinho because of some badly articulated appeal to the “right” way to play. This is blatantly false, and, if viewed properly, insulting to readers.
But their treatment of Mourinho and Pepe has gone much farther than this, to the point of xenophobia and covert racism: in a series of articles championed by MARCA, Mourinho and Pepe were criticized brutally, while their non-Spanishness was highlighted. One author went so far as to appeal to racism in his attack against Pepe.
In fact, the whole crusade in general is fueled by a deep-seated distrust of the foreign, a xenophobic appeal to a style of play, and an attitude towards football that is quintessentially “Spanish.” When a Spanish player commits the same crimes as Pepe, very little is written; when a Spanish coach instructs his players to engage in physical defense, he is celebrated.
But even more than this, there is a deeply hypocritical tone in their proselytizing: where was this moral outrage when fans in the Bernabeu and the Nou Camp filled the grounds with horrendous racist chanting? If MARCA, for example, were really the bastion of footballing morality that it has claimed to be during this controversy, then it would have at least addressed these horrible, embarrassing, destructive incidents once! But it did nothing. MARCA, and the Spanish media generally, are hypocritical, deluded, scumbags who will quickly jump at any chance to portray foreigners as injuring football, but are too cowardly to address the most important issues that actually threaten to tarnish the image of the sport—because they come from within.
Then there are the Barcelona fans who feel it necessary to proselytize with the same moral superiority complex that governs so many of their clubs’ decisions. Where was this outrage when Messi blasted fans in the Bernabéu with a ball? When David Villa stomped on Pepe? No one is free of guilt, no side has come out looking good from these matches, and it infuriates me that Barça fans pretend that all the blame should fall on Madrid, just like their players did after the Supercopa Clasicos.
If there is anyone who is interested in a rational discussion about the way we can handle this kind of thing—discourage, punish, prevent, etc—then I am more than happy to have that conversation, and we’re more than happy to talk about it on our site. If you’d like to have a serious conversation about the media, and their role in football, I’m happy to follow. And if you’d even like to get into racism in soccer, then I’d be more than happy to wade through those waters again. But if you’re here to proselytize about how wrong/destructive/disingenuous Pepe/Mourinho/[insert Portuguese person] is and how Real Madrid fans should feel ashamed, then you are not welcome at our site.
Editor-in-Chief of Managing Madrid
@GabeLezra
Hey Gabe,
I agree with everything you said in this comment. You know, I would actually like to read an article (or maybe you could discuss it in one of your future podcasts) about the media and their role in football, especially the Spanish media.
-Nora
We are working on them Nora.
You will be able to read them pretty soon, it will be a very interesting and deep analysis.
Thanks for letting us know your interest
Hasta el final, vamos Real.
by Lucas Navarrete on Jan 21, 2012 12:16 PM CET up reply actions
Football Superiority Complex
Very clever writing but this is not about marca and the spanish press or racism in spanish football. This is about results.
I couldn’t agree with you more on those issues concerning the spanish press and marca. Well said. Racism in football is a problem everyone is aware of but thanks for reminding us. This is a global issue though. People all over the world who could care less where pepe and jose hail from are critical of your madrid. Is the whole world wrong for criticizing mourinho and the actions of some of your players?
On barca and moral superiority complex: I hear that one a lot from madristas. Please explain what barca club decisions represent their so called “moral superiority complex?” Is it because unicef is printed on their kits? Is it because they claim to be more than a club? Is it because they play an intelligent possession passing game? Shame on them. Barca play a style of footlball that just pisses people off is what i think. I get it. Nobody likes to have 30% possession in their own house.
There is a logical reason for all the criticism pointed at mourinho and company, and it has nothing to do with his portuguese roots. Every clasico basically ends in the same shit storm. Madrid is losing and reverts to hacking and yes barca players dive and madrid players dive and then barca wins. Then madrid makes all kinds of excuses for the loss. Again this has nothing to do with pepe and mourinho being portuguese. Did you really just suggest that all barca fans who “proselytize” are racist with your “insert portuguese player” comment? Wow that is low down. Talk about covert. Again your arguments about marca are valid but most people including myself don’t care about the race or nationality of a player. And yes i agree nobody should tell you to be ashamed of your manager. That is up to you. I am ashamed when busquets dives but i certainly wouldn’t want a madrista to tell me that’s how i should feel. Did i say you should be ashamed of mourinho? I don’t think so.
But that’s not the real issue is it? This is about madrid being frustrated because they can’t beat barca. I understand that completely. I would be infuriated too. You want to talk about racism in spain? Sure we can do that. If i were a madrid supporter that would be a refreshing change of topic.
You know what barca fans are sick of? Excuses and poor sportsmanship. We’re sick of consistently dominating you for three years now and hearing nothing but excuses post match. We’re tired of your goons and their reprehensible and dangerous fouls. We’re tired of these absurd comparisons of foul play. Messi kicking the ball into the crowd vs pepe hand stomp?? Are you serious? We’re tired of these matches being about everything but the result. Mourinho is the master of that. i think you’d get a lot less of what you consider a moral superiority complex if madrid accepted defeat with some class. Did alex fergeson whine and throw excuses around when we dismantled his side? No—he graciously admitted his boys were outplayed and congratulated barca on the game. He didn’t poke anyone in the eye. He didn’t claim it was the refs or bad luck. His players didn’t behave badly and in turn neither did barca’s. I like that kind of sportsmanship. Does that mean i have a moral superiority complex? Ask any neutral about who incites all this mayhem in the clasicos. Ask them which side are more guilty of foul play. I have and the answer is always madrid. Who controls your players? Jose does.
Here’s what i think you don’t want to talk about. Your club’s results vs. your biggest rival. We win because we score more goals than you. We are dominating you and it hurts. I know your pain. All sports fans do. But nothing is worse than a sore loser and mourinho is the king of sore losers.
One day you will dominate us and i will be the first to say well done. That is sportsmanship not moral superiority. I rarely hear that from any madrid fan and never from mourinho.
If you don’t want to hear opinions from a barca fan on your site i understand. I would think hearing from the other side is what these forums are all about. If you want to just chat amongst yourselves about how your portuguese players are being discriminated against in the spanish press and how barca are diving snobs go for it. Have fun with that. I will gladly hold my tongue. If you support your club then be ready to take the heat. You have a leader who thrives on controversy so are you really surprised by all the backlash?? You want people to stop talking trash about your leader (club?) Get a manager who doesn’t ask for it or start beating us. Mourinho is quite pleasant when he wins. Barca and neutrals are both tired of this mourinho saga. We want football. He wants attention.
I think we all want to remove the unnecessary drama from the clasicos. We’re all guilty of getting caught up in all this “barca dives” and “mourinho is an idiot” bs, We could argue all day about who hacked who, and who took a dive…blah blah blah. I agree that these current clasicos are bringing out the worst in both clubs. Hopefully our sides will play football and football only, so we as supporters can have something other than dives and fouls to talk about. Until they do, the press is going to focus on the negative and so are we. play football. may the best team win.
by impossibletriangles on Jan 21, 2012 10:35 PM CET up reply actions
Ironically, this is the kind of comment that would be welcomed on our post-match discussion thread.
But, as it stands, it comes off as trolling because we’re not talking about that. Your initial premise that “this is about results” is actually incorrect. We’re not talking about results. We’re talking about the Pepe incident, and why madridistas are angry about the way the media and Barca fans handled that specific moment. Instead of bringing this stuff up in a context where we’re all talking about results and tactics and the like, you’ve chosen to write it all here, during a discussion of something unrelated. This makes your assertions misplaced, at the very least.
You have the right to attack my integrity and my journalistic intelligence as much as you want; I won’t stop you. In some ways, you’re right. Unfortunately, you’ve chosen to surround the valid points that you made with exactly the kind of charged rhetoric that we’re complaining about. Thus, I don’t feel obliged to respond to you.
Editor-in-Chief of Managing Madrid
@GabeLezra
You sir are done.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Staff writer for Managing Madrid & Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Jan 22, 2012 8:53 AM CET up reply actions
Well said. clap
Unfortunately for Madrid fans, Pepe’s actions are the most recent, hence in the forelight. Many players are not guilt free and Pepe’s actions will slowly die away when someone else’s dunce move will arise. However, Pepe does not help his cause by repeatedly doing questionable actions over and over again. It reopens past talks against him and brings it down even hard on him. My take on this is that it isn’t the best of comparisons, comparing Pepe to the actions of Messi rocketing a ball into the stands or Villa’s stomp. Those are singular actions, not multiple like Pepe (granted, I could be wrong as a new fan to the beautiful game, so there is much from the past I have not seen). The reason, in my opinion, that people call for Pepe’s head so quickly now a days is because the actions are repeated and now it seems like without an guilt.
"This team (Philadelphia Eagles) gives me the best chance of winning a Super Bowl."
-Michael Vick #7
I don't see anything embarrassing from Pepe in the first two plays
That shows the liability of the video.
Hasta el final, vamos Real.
by Lucas Navarrete on Jan 21, 2012 10:13 AM CET up reply actions
boy they were trying hard
Yeah me too the video editor was a little too desperate trying to find faults with Madrid, the only thing shameful were PEPE’S STUMP AND his flagrant dive against pique. Everything else were actual fouls committed by Barca, what’s even funny is the video is counterproductive because it shows some Barca players diving cough Sanchez cough.
Alves actually strangled Calleijon and he would have been carded if Callejon threw himself on the floor rolling, but thankfully he didn’t do that.
I love the one where Coentrao pushes Messi's head and he flops like his neck is broken.
Follow me on twitter@PrixFixeOnline
Staff writer for Managing Madrid & Sounder At Heart
by Timm Higgins on Jan 21, 2012 5:21 PM CET up reply actions
yeah
Lol, he even hesitated, it made me chuckle too. Like…"hmmm, I have been pushed, shall I make a fuss?….
….
….
“yes”.
…
…“owwwww!!!!”
Manager on Barca Blaugranes
If you really want you can follow my random musings on Twitter
by Arron Duckling on Jan 22, 2012 10:49 AM CET up reply actions


















