PORTO bad boy Pepe appeared to KNEE Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling during their hot-tempered Champions League clash.
The Citizens ran out 3-1 winners at the Etihad on Wednesday night to kickstart their European campaign.
Pepe appears to knee Raheem Sterling while screaming at the Manchester City starCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Pepe fumed at Sterling for going down easilyCredit: EPA
Pepe escaped punishment from the referee despite the coming togetherCredit: Rex Features
Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind after Luis Diaz put the Portuguese champs ahead.
Sergio Aguero’s penalty, Ilkay Gundogan’s free-kick and Ferran Torres’ goal on his City Champions League debut secured the comeback victory.
But Portuguese centre-back Pepe, 37, let his frustration get the better of him late in the second-half.
The former Real Madrid star screamed at Sterling, 25, after the England forward went down softly, in his eyes, in search of a penalty.
Pepe then appeared to drag his knee into Sterling’s body, knocking him over in a moment of madness.
Somehow the Porto skipper escaped a red card despite VAR being in use during the Champions League.
And fuming fans couldn’t believe renowned hardman Pepe had not been given his marching orders.
One said: “How has Pepe not been sent off for that knee on Sterling.”
Sterling and Pepe jostle for the ball before the flare-upCredit: EPA
Sterling complains to the ref after appearing to take a knee from PepeCredit: Rex Features
Another added: “How does Pepe get away with that assault on Sterling.”
A third commented: “I don’t understand how either. Seems like VAR went to sleep once again.”
Sterling appeared to escape any injury from the incident but City did suffer a huge blow with the news Fernandinho is out for up to six weeks with what looked like a muscle strain in his leg.
Edin Dzeko falls down comically after Pepe ‘headbutt’ during Porto’s Champions League tie with Roma
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
