‘Pepe going through bad moment’

Real Madrid defender Pepe has been backed up by a supporters group for talking out against Jose Mourinho.

The defender is rumoured to be out of his Coach’s plans for the rest of the season having criticised him for not showing Iker Casillas enough respect in recent months.

Casillas has not played under Mourinho since returning to full fitness in March, but the tactician suggested that Pepe’s words were out of frustration at his own lack of playing time.

However, the Portuguese centre-back has found support from the Ramon Mendoza Real Madrid Supporters Club, who inducted him recently as an honorary member.

“Pepe is going through a bad moment. At no time has he wanted to confront his Coach, nor go against him,” explained their President Efigenio Albadalejo this week.

“He said what many Madrid fans, if not all, are thinking. That Casillas deserves respect because he is a symbol of Spanish football and Real Madrid. I do not think what Mourinho has done is fair.

“He cannot be allowed to attack him as frustrated and comparing it with his situation with Varane. Pepe is very much a Madrid fan and he will be a madridsta wherever he goes.

“He defends this shirt to the death and we all recognise that. Even the President. Pepe may be better or worse in a game, but Mourinho should not attack him in this way, he is a Coach that Pepe has given everything for in the field.”

Tags Casillas mourinho Pepe
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