Defender devastated by his own vicious actions

Real Madrid’s crucial victory over Madrid rivals Getafe on Tuesday night was marred by Pepe, who decided to kick seven shades out of opposing captain Javier Casquero for no particular reason.

The assault shocked the world of football, but no one is more surprised by the unnecessary violence than the man himself. In an interview with Spanish paper Marca, the Portugal International said he had no intention of playing again:

“These are the worst days of my life. I do not have any desire to return to playing football.”I have seen the replays of the incident, but I do not recognise myself. I lost control 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.”

Marca suggest that the defender will receive a ban of six to twelve games for his actions, in addition to fines by the league and his club.

Some are suggesting that Pepe will not play for Madrid again, but we are not convinced - he has no history of this kind of violence, he seems to genuinely repent his hotheadedness, and above all, he is a world class defender whom Los Blancos could not do without.

Tony Adams issues Alexandre Gaydamak a warning

Fearful that the Portsmouth board will sell some of his top performers in the January transfer window, Tony Adams has threatened to pick his ball up and leave the playground if things don’t go his way:

“Jermain [Defoe]’s a threat and I’m sure there will be some big clubs trying to get him but hands off because he’s mine,” Adams said.

“The owner has been very supportive and although I’ve not made an issue of it I’ve told him that everyone stays who I want to stay or I don’t do the job.

“I told him that at the very start. He was very supportive of Harry and now he’s being very supportive of me.

Adams is quite right to take such a stance on Jermain Defoe - just imagine the dire consequences for Portsmouth if he were to leave. With his propensity to visit nightclub at least seven days a week, the striker keeps the south coast’s economy afloat, while his contributions to the region’s WAG wannabes is immeasurable…

Sunderland’s boss is questioning his future…

Roy Keane may have enjoyed his first couple of years in football management, but is the angry, albeit mellowing Irishman getting fed up already? The principled departures of Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley have paved the way for other managers to turn their backs on high profile jobs should circumstances become intolerable and Roy Keane has made it perfectly clear that he will not be putting up with abuse from supporters.