Real defender Pepe banned for 10 matches

Real Madrid defender Pepe has been banned for 10 matches following his red card and extraordinary loss of control against Getafe in this week's 3-2 Primera Liga win at the Bernabeu.

The Portuguese international will miss Real's remaining six games of the season, including next week's home match against leaders Barcelona, after the ruling by the disciplinary committee of the Spanish federation (RFEF).

With the scores level at 2-2 and three minutes left in Tuesday's clash at the Bernabeu, Pepe pushed Getafe's Francisco Casquero and the referee awarded a penalty.

He then kicked Casquero on the ground and a second swipe saw him rake his studs over the midfielder's back. In the ensuing melee he struck another Getafe player, Juan Albin, in the face.

He was shown a straight red card, having already picked up a yellow earlier in the match, and said "you are all sons of whores" to the fourth official as he left the pitch. He also broke the rules by coming back on to celebrate Gonzalo Higuain's winner with his team-mates.

Alfredo Florez, RFEF disciplinary committee president, said on Spanish radio that Pepe had been banned for one game for the red card, eight games for aggression towards opponents and one more match for his offensive remarks.

Pepe apologised for his actions and said he was not a violent player, but his behaviour has been widely condemned.

Getafe president Angel Torres was quoted as saying Real should tear up the player's contract.

"Pepe's attitude was unforgiveable," he said.

"The behaviour we witnessed on Tuesday is bound to encourage violence among children."