Portugal's Pepe was given a red card for a head butt against German's Thomas Muller in Monday's FIFA World Cup game, a move that means the soccer star could be suspended for Portugal's next three games, but definitely will be out for their next game against the United States.
The card came after Pepe and Muller battled for the ball. Muller got a hand to the face and dramatically fell to the ground, and then Pepe put his head against Muller's while the German player was down on the pitch.
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The Portuguese defender has a reputation for such behavior but had been fairly well-behaved during the most recent regular club play.
The straight red card — as opposed to two yellows equaling a red — given by Serbian referee Milorad Mažić 37 minutes into the match in El Salvador means Pepe will be suspended for the next game, which happens to he the USA team, and could be suspended for a total of three games if FIFA extends it.
Portugal had to play the rest of the match against Germany with just 10 men and lost 4-0, Portugal’s worst World Cup loss.
Pepe’s head butt didn’t seem to deter Muller. He went on to score a "hat trick," or three goals in a game, the first of this year’s World Cup.
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